2. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Mfish's direction is determined primarily by the Fisheries Act 1996, Government policy statements, and the Mfish Strategic Plan 2003-2008. The Statement of Intent (SOI) sets out Mfish's programme to implement this direction.

2.1 Mfish Strategic Plan

The five-year Mfish strategic plan for the period 2003 to 2008 was released in early 2003.

The strategic plan will guide Mfish's business planning and decision-making, and the services we provide as our contribution to fisheries management and marine biosecurity.

The plan sets out a single goal for the fishery:

Maximise the value New Zealanders obtain through the sustainable use of fishery resources and protection of the aquatic environment.

This in turn is supported by three underlying strategies:

• protect the health of the aquatic environment by:
• developing and implementing frameworks and processes to:
• manage the effects of fishing on the aquatic environment
• maintain marine biodiversity and aquatic habitats
• avoid or manage marine biosecurity risks
• allow the government or stakeholders to take action against those who degrade the aquatic environment.
• enabling New Zealanders to participate effectively in developing policies, frameworks, and standards to manage effects on, and protect, the aquatic environment.

• enable people to get the best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries by:
• better defining and integrating the rights and obligations of commercial, customary, recreational, and other users and allocating those rights and obligations
• maintaining the integrity of policies, frameworks, and processes to support the rights and obligations associated with fisheries use and conservation
• developing institutional frameworks and capacity for fisheries stakeholders and the public to participate effectively in fisheries management
• enabling New Zealanders to participate effectively in developing frameworks and processes for using fisheries resources and making decisions.

• ensure the Crown delivers on its obligations to Maori with respect to fisheries by:
• establishing and maintaining effective relationships
• developing frameworks and processes to implement the 1992 Fisheries Deed of Settlement
• ensuring contemporary grievances are not created.

2.2 Mission

The Mfish mission is To be the guardian of the multitudes of Tangaroa. This is reflected in the Māori name for Mfish - Te Tautiaki i nga tini a Tangaroa.