Managing risks

Fisheries are a scarce resource that needs to be managed both in terms of access and harvest level if we are to ensure that the resource is available for future generations. To achieve this, the Ministry needs to manage risks at different levels.

Risks to the fishery are managed through a series of activities and services:

• the research planning process that determines the required research projects to be undertaken in any year

• stock assessment working groups

• information reported by fishers in their monthly harvest returns

• information gathered by the Ministry's Compliance and Observer functions

• the annual sustainability round that is consulted on with stakeholders to agree changes to management controls and the consequential regulatory amendments

• regular advice to the Minister of Fisheries on management controls and sustainability measures.

Risks to tangata whenua and stakeholders' interests are managed through:

• information flows from harvest returns, compliance rates and scientific information

• transparent decision making

• input and participation in a range of management processes

• consultation and engagement through forums and other communication mechanisms

• specific participation on working groups

• capacity building both in the Ministry and the fisheries sector.

Organisational risks are managed by Ministry business group managers and monitored through the Ministry's Risk Management Committee, its organisational governance committees, and legal advice. Risks managed in this way include:

• maintaining organisational capacity and capability

• legal risk from processes and decisions

• financial management processes

• disaster recovery programmes

• monitoring Ministry services and obligations.