Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2000

• Our Vision
• Chief Executive's Overview
• Key Achievements
• 1999/2000 Financial Performance
• References

Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2000

Output Class Service Performance

Output Class D1 - Policy Framework

Description

Under this class of outputs the Minister of Fisheries purchases policy advice to underpin the legal and conceptual framework for the sustainable utilisation of fisheries.

Objectives

The objectives of this output class are to:

• provide and improve a conceptual and legal framework for the sustainable utilisation of the fisheries resource
• participate in the development and review of international frameworks and implement the decisions in a domestic context
• provide services to the Minister of Fisheries.

Scope

The outputs in this output class are:

• Evaluating sustainability outcomes: Monitoring the performance of existing fisheries policy against the purpose and principles of the Fisheries Act.
• Rights based framework: Work associated with the better definition of fisheries rights holders. It covers commercial, Maori and recreational fishing rights.
• Ecosystems management framework: To ensure that fisheries management practices are consistent with maintaining and building a healthy ecosystem.
• International frameworks: New Zealand fisheries management interests protected and promoted through representations on a number of international fora.
• Input into other related government frameworks: Covers the perspective of MFish on related government agencies policy framework reviews.
• Ministerial servicing: Preparation of papers, briefings and correspondence for the Minister.

Achievements during the year

Evaluating Sustainability Outcomes (includes Ecosystems Management Framework)

A research report on indicators for evaluating commercial fisheries policy in respect of economic outcomes has been discussed with a stakeholder working group. Further research will be undertaken in the 2000/2001 financial year.

By 30 June 2000, the Ministry had developed the process to report on the state of fisheries indicators within the aquatic environment. The interactive database to report on environmental indicators has been completed. The Ministry for the Environment is funding an external communications organisation to build the information into a joint Ministry of Fisheries/Ministry for the Environment website.

Rights-Based Framework

The Fisheries Amendment Act 1999 was passed during the year. The Ministry provided advice and information to the Primary Production Select Committee during its consideration of the Bill.

Standards and specifications have been developed for inclusion into a fisheries management framework.

Following Ministerial approval in principle to the draft framework for exploratory fishing, a workshop on the draft framework was held with stakeholders. Submissions were received and a revised framework is to be released to stakeholders in September 2000.

The Minister of Fisheries has approved the objectives and scope of the review on the management of non-QMS fisheries. An issues paper is being prepared for distribution by 30 September 2000.

The Maori rights framework has been delayed pending court proceedings.

The joint MFish/New Zealand Recreational Fisheries Council (NZRFC) recreational rights working group has finalised the drafting of the public discussion document on recreational fishing rights. The draft document, "Soundings", which provides options for the future management of marine recreational fishing, was distributed to stakeholders at the Recreational Fishing Council annual meeting in July 2000.

The public discussion document on aquaculture reform "Aquaculture - join the discussion" was completed during the year and approved by the Minister of Fisheries for submission to Cabinet.

Work to enable co-management of fisheries between stakeholders and the Crown has not proceeded. Ministers agreed that this work would not be progressed at this stage.

International Frameworks

New Zealand has entered into a management arrangement with Australia for the South Tasman Rise Orange Roughy fishery effective from 29 February 2000. NZ chaired the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Sub-Committee on Fish Trade meeting, in March 2000. A work programme on the use of subsidies and non-tariff barriers was agreed.

The Ministry attended a meeting on tuna stocks in the central and western Pacific in April 2000, with NZ chairing a working group on the financial arrangements for the future Commission to manage these stocks.

Legislative changes were enacted in September 1999 to provide the framework for ratification of the United Nations Implementing Agreement (UNIA). The Ministry is currently developing systems and procedures that will allow authorisations for fishing on the High Seas to be issued, as required by the provisions of the UNIA.

NZ chaired the OECD Fisheries Committee meeting in March 2000, to finalise the study analysing the impact of subsidies on sustainability. Agreement was reached on a future work programme that will ensure fish trade related issues continue to be a focus of the Committee.

Input into Other Related Government Frameworks

During the year the Ministry has:

• provided advice to the Minister of the strategic importance of the development of an integrated oceans strategy;
• seconded an Executive Team member to the Minister's Office with responsibility for policy co-ordination;
• worked with both the Minister and the seconded Policy Co-ordinator in the development of an initial paper for the Minister to seek confirmation for the development of an oceans policy.

Ministerial Servicing

82% of draft ministerial replies were competed within the required timeframe of 15 working days (the standard is 95% within 15 days).

All urgent letters responded to within five days.

The Ministry met the standard of 97% of first drafts of replies being approved by the Minister without adjustment.

Advice to Cabinet Committees and Select Committees was delivered in accordance with the timeframes and specifications required by the Committees.

All speeches were drafted within the five working day timeframe.

95% of Parliamentary Questions were completed within the required timeframe (of the 114 questions asked 6 responses were late).

Financial Performance

Table of Financial Performance.

	30/06/00 Actual $000	30/06/00 Budget $000	30/06/00 Actual as % of Budget

Revenue:
Crown	5,060	5,060	100

Total revenue

5,060

5,060

100

Expenses:
Evaluating sustainability outcomes	29	605	5
Rights based framework
Revision of Fisheries Act	362	275	132
Fisheries information management framework	1,101	980	112
Commercial rights framework	290	224	129
Maori rights framework	741	196	378
Recreational rights framework	329	363	91
Aquaculture framework	155	323	48
Fisheries co-management	25	151	17
International frameworks	589	469	126
Input into other related government frameworks	155	173	89
Ministerial servicing	879	1,301	68

Total expenses

4,655

5,060

92

Surplus

405

0

-

Output Class D2: Fisheries Information and Monitoring

Under this class of outputs the Minister of Fisheries purchases research and other services relating to the gathering and analysis of data about New Zealand's fisheries to support decisions about sustainable utilisation.

Research costs represent:

• Existing projects which have been consulted on in past years.
• Proposed new projects.

Objectives

The objectives of this output class are to:

• provide the information required to ensure the sustainable utilisation of New Zealand's fisheries resources
• manage fisheries to produce the goal of sustainable utilisation by scientifically evaluating:
• sustainable yields from fisheries resources
• the effects of fishing on the aquatic environment, including the viability of associated or dependent species
• the effects of fishing on the biological diversity of the aquatic environment
• alternative strategies for achieving the desired level of yield while avoiding, remedying or mitigating adverse effects of fishing on the aquatic environment
• analysis of relevant cultural factors that may need to be included in the management decision process
• the specific measures needed to implement the appropriate management strategy.

Scope

The outputs in this output class are

• Planning and assessment processes: The research planning process identifies and prioritises research requirements within specified research areas, and the stock assessment process uses the research and other information to evaluate the status of fishstocks.
• Fisheries resource research: Research to determine the size, age, growth, mortality and recruitment of particular fish species.
• Harvest level research: Research to determine the size of the total harvest from commercial, recreational and customary fishing.
• Aquatic environment: Research into the effects of fishing activity on the aquatic environment.
• People aspects research: Research to gather social, economic and cultural information which could impact on fisheries management decisions.
• Monitoring harvest levels and environmental indicators: Collection and analysis on harvest levels and environmental indicators;
• Education and information services: Management of enquiries and information related to New Zealand's fisheries.
• Observer functions: Data collection by observers.

Achievements during the year

Planning and Assessment Processes

Standards and specifications for MFish proposed research projects for the 2000/01 year were completed by 12 November 1999.

The report from the 1999 Mid-Year Fishery Assessment Plenary was completed by 26 November 1999.

The report from the 2000 Fishery Assessment Plenary was completed by 28 May 2000.

Contract standards were maintained for all parties involved in fisheries research projects.

Following a Ministerial decision, work on direct purchase of research services has been deferred for one year.

Fisheries Resource Research

In 1999/2000, the Ministry maintained contracts with research providers for:

• 15 deepwater fisheries research projects;
• 19 middle depths fisheries research projects;
• 25 inshore finfish fisheries research projects;
• 15 shellfish fisheries research projects;
• 8 pelagic fisheries research projects;
• 14 recreational harvest data research projects;
• 1 customary take data research project;
• 9 aquatic research projects; and
• 7 stock assessment methodology and socio-economic research projects.

Fisheries research is undertaken to obtain information about the sustainability of fishstocks and to assess the impact of fishing activity on those stocks. A primary use for this information is in the determination of Total Allowable Catch limits and Total Allowable Commercial Catch limits for future years fishing activity.

The number of projects stated in the Ministry's Departmental Forecast Report (DFR) for 1999/2000 is an estimate of the research projects expected to be undertaken in the year. Final decisions on the actual number of projects cannot be taken until the Ministry has consulted with stakeholders and the Minister has determined the fisheries services to be provided in that year. Additionally, some projects may subsequently be deferred and others not contracted. The final number of projects being undertaken is, therefore, likely to be different from the number specified in the DFR.

Monitoring harvest levels and environmental indicators

There is a statutory requirement on all fishers to report incidental catches of marine mammals and seabirds to MFish and for the Ministry to monitor those returns. The present standard is that all returns are entered into the Ministry's catch effort database weekly. This standard is being met with the reporting of incidental catches of marine mammals and seabirds to MFish.

The computer system for recording and reporting catch and fishing effort information contains processes to verify all data entered into the system. The system is designed to automatically check entries against a prescribed set of parameters and to isolate those where the information is outside the parameters. Initial error investigations (validation) are currently being completed within one month of data entry. The current timeframes being achieved for data entry and validation are at target levels.

Considerable progress has been made on the development of specifications and standards for the required levels of catch effort data quality. Development of these specifications and standards is on target for completion (subject to public consultation) by 31 July 2000. The new specifications incorporate a significant reprioritisation of existing rules, together with development of new rules. The new rules are being gradually phased into the catch effort computer system and as a result, continual improvements in data quality are expected to occur each month over the next twelve months.

The Ministry has provided reports to the Minister on the state of fisheries resources relative to the fisheries indicators contained in the Environmental Performance Indicator Programme. MFish has also been working with the Ministry for the Environment to develop a website for fisheries environmental performance indicators (EPIs). The information for the website is complete and is now ready for publication.

Education and Information Services

The Ministry requires that all fishery assessment documents and fisheries research reports are provided within five working days of request and published within 10 days of completion.

All fishery assessment documents and fisheries research reports have been provided within these timeframes.

Observer Functions

Independent catch effort and biological data is needed to verify the returns provided by fishers. Each year, with the agreement of commercial fishers, the Ministry places observers on commercial vessels for that purpose. The observers collect information to standards required by the Ministry's science policy group. For 1999/2000 a total of 4,094 observer days has been used. In addition, the Department of Conservation (DoC) also requires information on fishing activity, particularly as it relates to the incidental catch of seabirds and marine mammals. In the last year Ministry observers provided a total of 815 days for DoC.

Financial Performance

Table of Financial Performance.

	30/06/00 Actual $000	30/06/00 Budget $000	30/06/00 Actual as % of Budget

Revenue:
Crown	15,694	15,694	100
Other	656	704	93

Total revenue

16,350

16,398

100

Expenses:
Planning and assessment processes	775	799	97
Fisheries resource research
Researching deepwater fisheries	2,377	2,736	87
Researching middle depths fisheries	3,688	3,742	99
Researching inshore finfish	2,592	2,692	96
Researching shellfish	1,999	1,985	101
Researching pelagic fisheries	355	478	74
Harvest level research	564	960	59
Aquatic environment research	314	440	71
People aspect research	276	390	71
Monitoring harvest levels and environmental indicators	770	633	122
Education and information services	54	50	108
Observer functions
Collecting biological data	1,539	1,417	109
Monitoring catch of protected species	277	76	364

Total expenses

15,580

16,398

95