The Last Thirty Years
Management of New Zealand fisheries has improved greatly in the last 30 years:
1978: |
New Zealand establishes its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and assumes management control of all fishing in the EEZ. |
1986: |
The Quota Management System (QMS) is established to manage most major New Zealand fisheries. A further 50 species are introduced into the QMS in 2004. Species comprising 95 percent of the total commercial harvest are now managed in this way. |
1992: |
Māori fishing claims arising from the Treaty of Waitangi are settled. |
1994: |
A cost recovery programme requires the commercial sector to pay the full costs of the services that support their fishing and aquaculture activities. |
1999: |
Approved service providers can supply specified fisheries services that are required by government. Since 2001, registry services have been provided by an industry-owned company, Commercial Fisheries Services Ltd (FishServe). |
2001: |
Implementation of key elements of the Fisheries Act 1996 including the new catch balancing regime based on Annual Catch Entitlements. |
2004: |
Aquaculture legislation and settlement of Māori aquaculture claims. |
Key developments in the last two years include:
2005: |
The Government approves a Marine Protected Areas Strategy designed to maintain biodiversity across the range of New Zealand's ocean habitats. |
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The Minister of Fisheries |
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i) announces the Strategy to Manage the Environmental Effects of Fishing. |
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ii) approves a fisheries plan framework, to enable the Ministry co-ordinated development of objective-based management of fisheries. |
2006: |
Commercial sector proposes closing 31% of the EEZ to bottom trawling and dredging. |
New Zealand is now an acknowledged world leader in the management of fisheries through:
Sustainable harvests: with most of our commercial fisheries harvested at a sustainable level.
A valuable seafood industry: that is the fifth largest export earner for New Zealand, employs 10,000 people directly and makes a valued contribution to regional economies.
Resolution of customary fishing claims: where New Zealand was one of the first countries to resolve customary claims to fishing in a comprehensive manner.
A high quality and popular marine recreational fishery: where approximately 20% of New Zealanders participate in recreational fishing.