Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2001

• Our Vision
• Chief Executive's Overview
• Key Achievements
• 2000/2001 Financial Performance
• References

Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2001

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 Work on developing a reporting system, and subsequently providing a report to the Minister on the state of fisheries within the aquatic environment using environmental performance indicators for fisheries and marine biodiversity, was originally scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2001. This is now expected to be completed by 31 December 2001.
The Ministry has conducted a stakeholder workshop on programme requirements. An internal discussion document has been prepared and is currently subject to internal peer review.

Rights-Based Framework

Improving Recreational Fisheries Management Public consultation on the development of a clearer definition of recreational fisheries rights has been completed and a Joint Working Group (of recreational fishing interests and the Ministry) report has been provided to the Minister. Policy development is continuing. Further targeted consultation via a
Ministerial Consultative Group is underway. Ministers will be provided with final advice and draft Cabinet papers recommending the preferred policy approach by 31 July 2001.
The original intention was to achieve the introduction of legislation providing for a clearer definition of recreational fisheries rights by 30 June 2001. Cabinet approval to prepare draft legislation is now expected in September 2001.

Improving management of aquaculture Analysis of submissions on the development of clearer definition of rights for aquaculturalists has been completed. Further consultation has been undertaken with key submitters on specific elements of the reform. The Ministers (Fisheries and Environment) approved ‘in principle’ the policy approach developed by MFish and the Ministry for the Environment (MfE). Approval was gained to prepare Cabinet papers necessary to progress the reform. Ministers are to be provided with final advice and draft Cabinet papers recommending the preferred policy approach by 31 July 2001.

As with recreational fisheries, the intention was to achieve the introduction of legislation providing for improved aquaculture management by 30 June 2001 Cabinet approval to prepare draft legislation is now expected in September 2001.

Maori Fisheries Act The Privy Council decision on the allocation of Maori fishing assets was received early July 2001. The Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (TOKM) is conducting mediation meetings to reach consensus on allocation. The presentation of an allocation model for pre-settlement assets is still delayed by High Court proceedings. Any amendments to the Maori Fisheries Act are, as signalled in the Departmental Forecast Report for 2000/01, dependent on the outcome of this court action.

Introduction of South Island Eels into the Quota Management System (QMS) On 29 June 2000, the Fisheries Amendment Act 2000 was enacted enabling the South Island eel fishery to be introduced into the QMS by the target date of 1 October 2000.

Ecosystem-based management framework In terms of its advice to the Minister on amendments to management controls for New Zealand’s fisheries, the Ministry is required to take into account the environmental principles of the Fisheries Act 1996. The advice provided to the Minister in the annual review of sustainability measures for 1 October 2000 included advice on the environmental requirements.
The Ministry is also developing a draft environmental strategy for public consultation. MFish environmental obligations and key processes and linkages have been identified; informal consultation with stakeholders has been undertaken; a draft overview of international fisheries environmental management strategies, and a report on the proposed framework
for the NZ Environmental Management Strategy has been commissioned and received. The draft framework and associated information, which was due to be prepared for consultation by 30 March 2001, will now be ready for consultation by 31 August 2001.

The target for developing the finalised strategy has also been deferred from 30 June 2001
to 31 March 2002.

International Frameworks Regulations to provide for ratification of the United Nations Implementing Agreement (UNIA) for the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks, and highly migratory fish species were passed by 31 March 2001. A comprehensive information package has been distributed to stakeholders.
The Minister of Fisheries formally lodged New Zealand’s ratification of the Agreement in New York in April 2001 (slightly later than the originally intended date of 31 December 2000). The regulations requiring Authorisations for New Zealand flagged vessels fishing on the High Seas came into force on 1 May. By 30 June 2001, 18 authorisations had been issued.

Input into Other Related Government Frameworks MFish is working with the Department of Conservation (DoC) on policy issues arising from the consultation on review of the Marine Reserves Act. This now being pursued within the context of the wider review of Oceans policy.
The Ministry is also providing support to the Primary Production Select Committee consideration of the Private Members Bill “Foreign Fishing Crew Wages and Repatriation Bond Bill”.

Oceans management We are actively participating in the inter-departmental working group supporting the development of an oceans policy. Work includes equipping the Ministerial Advisory Committee to undertake its role, including workshopping issues with stakeholders, developing consultation material and organising the public consultation process.

Biodiversity MFish is working actively with DoC and the Ministry for the Environment to progress the Marine Biodiversity programme. All contracts for provision of biosecurity services and research have been let, although some
were only let later in the year. A medium term biodiversity research plan is being formulated. Consultation has been undertaken on the scope and subsequent development of management projects. Some revised timeframes have been agreed.

Ministerial Servicing Of the 528 replies to correspondence prepared for the Minister, only 404 (77%) were completed within the timeframe (the requirement is 95% within 15 days). Additionally, 93 of these replies required redrafting. This is an achievement of 82% when the standard is 97%. 98% of responses to Parliamentary Questions were delivered on time (of the 119 replies completed, 3 were late). The standard requirement is for all responses to be
delivered on time.
No formal speeches prepared, but requests for speech notes met by required deadline. All urgent letters were responded to within the required 5 day timeframe. The Ministry acknowledges that the level of performance was less than desired in the early part of the year. However, there was a significant improvement in the last quarter.

Financial Performance

Output Class D2: Fisheries Information and Monitoring

Description 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: This covers the following aspects of research
• Research to determine the size, age, growth, mortality and recruitment of particular fish species.
• Research to determine the size of the total harvest from commercial, recreational and customary fishing.
• Research into the effects of fishing activity on the aquatic environment.
• Research to gather social, economic and cultural information which could impact on fisheries management decisions.
• 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 The research programme for 2001/02 was approved by the Minister of Fisheries on 26 June 2001, inside the original date of 30 June 2001. The report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary (for fish stocks with a fishing year beginning 1 April 2001) was completed before the required date of 30 November 2000. The Fishery Assessment Plenary report (for fish stocks with a fishing year beginning 1 October 2001) was completed before the required date of 31 May 2001.

Fisheries Resource Research 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.
This covers fisheries research under the following outputs:

• Fisheries resource research
• Harvest level research
• Aquatic environment (commercial fishing effects)
• Aquatic environment (habitats/trends)
• People aspect research
• Monitoring harvest levels.

All fisheries research contracts were monitored and audited on an ongoing basis throughout the year in accordance with the specifications and standards.

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. In respect of services required by the Ministry, the observers collect information to standards required by the MFish science policy group. Information is also collected by the observers for the Department of Conservation (particularly in relation to seabird mortality).
In a third category, observers are supplied following industry requests and the Ministry meets a target of supplying 95% of the requests within 24 hours and 100% within one week. For 2000/01 the observer days are broken down as follows:

The target was a minimum of 3,800 inspection days.

Financial Performance