Departmental Output Expense - Fisheries Information

Description

This departmental output expense covers research that is largely science based (stock assessment, environmental assessment), and other activities relating to gathering and analysing data about New Zealand's fisheries to support decisions about sustainable utilisation, as well as the provision of information on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine environment. Research costs represent existing projects that have been consulted on in past years, and proposed projects.

Objectives

Provide the information required to ensure the sustainable use of New Zealand's fisheries resources, by scientifically evaluating:

• status of fisheries resources

• sustainable yields from fisheries resources

• the effects of fishing on the aquatic environment, including on the viability of associated or dependent species, and on biological diversity

• 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.

Financial performance

In 2006/07, the appropriation for this departmental output expense is $29,138,000, a reduction of $504,000 from the 2005/06 SOI.

Explanation of year-on-year changes

Utilisation and sustainability of New Zealand's fisheries resources measured

The Fisheries Research Services proposed for 2006/07 are the outcome of the research planning process carried out from August to November 2005.

Research on stock monitoring and assessment underpins the setting of sustainable catch limits within the QMS.

The Ministry is also taking initial steps to address effects of fishing on the environment. The revised medium term research plan for the aquatic environment sets out a programme of research into the effects of fishing on marine ecosystems (including seamounts) and protected species (seabirds and marine mammals).

Specific changes include:

• A $1,000,000 transfer from this output to Departmental Output Expense - Fisheries Operations - output New Zealand fisheries utilisation and sustainability reported to underpin the development of fisheries plans.

• An amount of $500,000 set aside to contribute funding for research into mapping benthic biodiversity to be undertaken as part of Oceans 2020 in 2006/07.

• New initiative funding of $200,000 to commence research into the effects of bottom trawling and ecosystem effects of fishing.

Observer services provided

The observer delivery plan for 2006/07 is expected to deliver a total of around 7,300 observer days for the three clients of the service - the Ministry, the Department of Conservation and industry stakeholders.