International fisheries policy advice provided

Explanation

This service contributes to the development of bilateral, regional and multilateral frameworks for managing international fisheries, with the aim of:

• protecting the health of the aquatic environment

• enabling New Zealanders to get the best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries resources

• strengthening governance arrangements for high seas fisheries

• facilitating sustainable economic growth through increased international trade.

The focus is the sustainable use of international fisheries resources through the establishment of robust management regimes. The Ministry works to promote and protect New Zealand's fisheries interests through:

• engagement and influence in international institutions (eg the fisheries committees or working groups of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)), to improve the sustainable use of fisheries resources

• engagement and influence in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) and arrangements to ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources (eg the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT), the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the South Tasman Rise (STR))

• promotion of strong governance arrangements for the sustainable management of fisheries resources beyond the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone

• participation in multilateral negotiations that set trade rules and input into the development of regional and bilateral trade agreements.

Expected results

Quantity, quality and timeliness

1. Multilateral negotiations, eg FAO, UN, OECD, WTO

• New Zealand objectives approved by Ministers prior to meetings.

• New Zealand objectives delivered to the meeting and report provided to Ministers and appropriate Posts.

    2.    Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, eg CCSBT, WCPFC, CCAMLR

• New Zealand negotiating position approved prior to the meetings.

• New Zealand's position delivered to the meeting and report provided to Ministers and appropriate Posts.

3. New Zealand membership maintained for RFMO's to ensure environmental sustainability and fisheries access for New Zealand industry

• Bilateral discussions undertaken.

• Report prepared and provided to Ministers and appropriate Posts.

Cost