'Project Protector'

Since the introduction of the QMS, Fisheries Compliance has evolved into a land-based agency with very limited 'at sea' capability. This has left a significant gap and exposed a range of risks to the integrity of New Zealand's EEZ and fisheries management frameworks. Over the next three years Project Protector will deliver a range of inshore and offshore patrol vessels and a key focus of the vessels will be fisheries surveillance, inspection and enforcement. This will significantly change the face of Fisheries Compliance. Planning is well advanced to meet this challenge and a range of initiatives are contemplated to ensure Fisheries Compliance staff are prepared when the vessels start arriving in October next year. Initiatives under consideration include the development of an offshore patrol group; increased intelligence and analytical capability; improved systems and processes for maritime planning and the development of new training programmes. Additional resourcing is likely to be a key factor in the Ministry being able to deliver on these initiatives.