People are able to realise the best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries

Recognising the nature of value

Best overall value is achieved when fisheries resources are used by those who obtain the most value from them. To obtain the overall best value from the use of fisheries the Ministry must recognise the full range of values and understand how they are generated. This value is generated in many ways. It includes value gained from a thriving seafood industry, from the pleasure of fishing for recreation, and from customary fisheries. Value is also gained from non-extractive uses such as viewing a healthy aquatic environment.

Value is not limited to the present generation. If we do not manage how much fish can be harvested today, then future generations may have fewer species available to them. At the same time, reducing the number of fish caught now could mean fewer jobs in the fishing industry.

Achieving best value within each fishing sector

Commercial fishers access to limited resources is through the Quota Management System (QMS). In the QMS individuals can choose their level of access and adjust their access by trading quota shares or catch entitlements. Those who value commercial fishing rights most are expected to buy them from those who are unable to generate as much value from them. Trading allows investment to flow to the most valuable use within the commercial sector.

For recreational fishers, the amount of fish actually taken depends on the number of people fishing and how often they fish. Individual daily bag limits and restrictions on the use of fishing methods help to control the amount of fish taken.

Customary fishing is managed by kaitiaki and depends on the number and type of authorisations granted to take fish for customary purposes.

Specifying limits within which each fishing sector can maximise value

Whether access is allocated by a market, or through government decision, it is important that fishers operate within the limits of their allocations. Allowing people to exceed the limits encourages others to do the same and reduces incentives to co-operate and invest in increasing the value obtained from a fishery. As with environmental standards, for a limit to be effective there must be appropriate incentives and penalties to motivate fishers to keep within the limits.

To manage levels of access by each sector, we need adequate and timely information on levels of participation (fishing effort) and catch for all sectors, including recreational and customary fishing, and acceptable levels of compliance.

Achieving best value across fisheries sectors

To achieve overall best value from fisheries resources, there needs to be the ability to transfer some rights to use the resources between sectors. Although access rights of other sectors are allowed for when setting the commercial allocation, there is currently no mechanism by which stakeholders can adjust levels of access to fisheries resources across sectors. Instead, transfers can only be achieved through government allocation decisions. Unless and until mechanisms are put in place for stakeholders to have a greater role in determining levels of access for their sector, the government will continue to make allocation decisions. Proposals to improve the allocation process for shared fisheries will be evaluated by Government in 2007/08.

Information on the value of fisheries to the customary and recreational sectors is generally poor, which makes allocation decisions more difficult. The strategy of increasing stakeholder's involvement in fisheries management, particularly through fisheries plans, will allow stakeholders to provide more information on how they value fisheries.

Providing opportunities to increase value

Opportunities to increase value from fisheries can come from increasing the benefits obtained from fishing, or by reducing costs. The Ministry believes that stakeholders are well placed to identify how benefits from fishing can be increased and costs reduced. Therefore, the Ministry believes stakeholders should have an increased role in developing fisheries plans which include management strategies, interventions and services which are linked to clear objectives. In shared fisheries, the Government can help by getting sectors to talk to each other to develop best value strategies.

The Ministry can also contribute to initiatives to increase the value that fishers obtain from the fishery. Examples include the reduction and removal of international trade barriers, and facilitating development of sector growth strategies. The Ministry becomes involved in these activities particularly where only the government can undertake certain roles, for instance, when representing New Zealand's interests at international multilateral trade negotiations.

The Ministry works with the fishing industry to advance New Zealand's fisheries interests beyond the New Zealand EEZ, both at a bilateral level and within Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, where opportunities exist to increase the value of the New Zealand commercial fisheries sector.

Economic transformation

Increasing the value achieved from fisheries can also be achieved through the Government's economic transformation agenda which seeks to encourage development and assist in resolving impediments.

Aquaculture has been identified by Government as a priority industry for growth and is on the economic transformation agenda. Government wants to support this industry in achieving its goal to become a sustainable billion dollar business by 2025.

The Ministry leads an across-government team working closely with regional authorities and key stakeholders to support sustainable aquaculture development. The team comprises the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, Ministry of Economic Development, Te Puni Kokiri and NZ Trade and Enterprise.

Protecting and increasing value

Value to fishers may be reduced where non-fishing activity impacts on stocks or the functioning of the aquatic ecosystem. The Ministry's role here is to develop, along with other government agencies, improved frameworks that address these impacts and allow decisions about different uses to enable the greatest overall benefit to New Zealand.