Additional Fisheries Services for 2007/08

Achieving the Ministry's vision relies on the commitment and ability of its people, the quality of the services and the strength of the relationships with others who have an interest and involvement in the fishery. This requires investment in the Ministry and the wider fisheries sector. The proposals set out in this section have been approved as part of the Government's 2007 Budget.

Environmental certification of fisheries

Environmental certification is important for marketing New Zealand seafood internationally. Seafoods certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the only internationally recognised certifier of seafood products from sustainable fisheries, are widely promoted in overseas markets. Certification should result in improved market access, increased export earnings and higher profitability for New Zealand companies. The costs are included in the Fisheries Policy Advice departmental output expense under output New Zealand fisheries policy advice provided.

Increase in Ministry of Fisheries' baseline for Crown legal expenses

This initiative sets the Ministry of Fisheries baseline for Crown legal expenses at a more realistic level, enabling the Crown to continue to defend its fisheries management decisions. The costs are included in the Fisheries Operations departmental output expense under output New Zealand fisheries utilisation and sustainability reported.

Inshore trawl catch effort form

Improvements in fisheries management can be obtained through the reporting of spatial information by commercial fishers at a finer scale than is currently achieved. Development of a new Catch and Effort return for vessels 28 metres and under in length will meet these information needs. The costs are included in the Fisheries Operations departmental output expense under output New Zealand fisheries utilisation and sustainability reported.

International polar year

New Zealand science participation in the Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML), a circum-Antarctic biodiversity survey, is a high priority. Specific outcomes are expected to include assessments of ocean acidification arising from climate change, improved understanding of ecosystem processes and taxonomic identification of new species. The costs are included in the Fisheries Information departmental output expense under output utilisation and sustainability of New Zealand's fisheries resources measured.

South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO)

New Zealand is a co-sponsor of an initiative to establish a new Regional Fisheries Management Organisation to manage non-tuna fisheries in high seas parts of the South Pacific Ocean. This initiative provides funding for New Zealand to host the SPRFMO interim secretariat for two years from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2009. The costs are included in Other Expenses to be Incurred by the Crown – Contributions to International Organisations.