DEPARTMENTAL OUTPUT EXPENSE – FISHERIES INFORMATION

Description

This departmental output expense covers research and other activities relating to gathering and analysing data about New Zealand’s fisheries to support decisions about sustainable utilisation, and 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 new projects.

Objectives

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

• sustainable yields from, and status of, 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

Explanation of year-on-year changes

Utilisation and sustainability of New Zealand’s fisheries resources measured

The Fisheries Research Services for 2005/06 are the outcome of the research planning process carried out from August-November 2004. There will be greater emphasis on the determination of recreational harvest levels for  priority stocks (eg snapper, kahawai) and the stock assessment programmes for the major commercial stocks (hoki,  orange roughy, snapper and rock lobster) will be maintained.

While research on stock monitoring and assessment underpins the setting of sustainable catch limits within the QMS, the Ministry has increased efforts 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).

Biodiversity of New Zealand’s marine environment estimated

Biodiversity research will also play a lead role in providing information to improve understanding of fishing impacts on the environment. Biodiversity research will improve our knowledge of marine communities and of potential human impacts on those communities, and will contribute to improved policy to reduce or mitigate adverse impacts. The results of Ministry of Fisheries research will be integrated with results from other research to improve our understanding of the marine environment. 

Observer services provided

The Observer delivery plan for 2005/06 includes the funding for the second year of the National Plan of Action for Seabirds, approved by the Ministers of Fisheries and Conservation in April 2004.

The plan for 2005/06 is expected to deliver a total of around 7,640 observer days for the three clients of the service – the Ministry, the Department of Conservation and industry stakeholders.

Although the Ministry initially consulted on 9,250 observer days, the level of funding is sufficient to provide a total of 7,640 days. Any increase in demand will be managed through the 2005/06 Supplementary Estimates process.

UTILISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF NEW ZEALAND’S FISHERIES RESOURCES MEASURED

Explanation

As an input into current and future fisheries management decisions, fisheries research needs are identified, projects undertaken and results reported to provide increased information on:

• estimates of biomass and sustainable yields for fish stocks
• effects of fishing on the aquatic environment, including biodiversity and bycatch species
• relevant social, cultural and economic factors that may be included in the management decision process
• non-commercial harvest levels.

The Ministry contributes to the maintenance of sustainable fisheries in New Zealand through research designed to increase information on stock status levels, and add to the body of knowledge used to advise the Minister of Fisheries on appropriate utilisation for future years. Research is undertaken on individual fisheries at a frequency necessary to ensure the stock is not decreased through overfishing, thereby maintaining its value, and to enable the Ministry to maintain the currency of the information. This output also includes the costs associated with the capacity required to maintain the fisheries research programme.

The individual research projects proposed for consultation can be found on the Ministry website www.fish.govt.nz/current/soiconsultation/ index.html

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. By 31 August 2005, produce medium term research plans in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document ‘Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group’ dated 9 July 2001)
   
2. By 2 December 2005, produce research proposals for 2006/07 in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document ‘Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group’ dated 9 July 2001)
   
3. By 30 November 2005, produce a report from the Mid-Year Fishery Assessment Plenary in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the Fisheries Research Services 2003/2004 Tender Document – Part II: A – Appendix II B, Form 2 and Appendix III B)
   
4. By 27 May 2006, produce a report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the Fisheries Research Services 2003/2004 Tender Document – Part II: A – Appendix II B, Form 2 and Appendix III B)

Cost

BIODIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND’S MARINE ENVIRONMENT ESTIMATED

Explanation

Implementing the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy will support the environmental principles set out in section 9 of the Fisheries Act 1996. This will be achieved by collecting high quality baseline information. There is currently a lack of information in this area which limits our ability to meet the following two aims:

• protecting the richness and health of the marine biodiversity of New Zealand and the Ross Sea region
• getting the best value from the marine biodiversity of New Zealand.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. By 31 October 2005, produce medium term research plans in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document ‘Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group’ dated 9 July 2001).
   
2. By 28 February 2006, produce research proposals for 2006/07 in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document ‘Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group’ dated 9 July 2001).
   
3. Within one month of acceptance of the electronic copy of the report, place research reports on the Biodiversity website www.biodiversity.govt.nz

Cost

OBSERVER SERVICES PROVIDED

Explanation

Observers provide an independent source for the collection of high quality information from fishing operations. This is a valuable input into the management of New Zealand’s fisheries resources, particularly the setting of sustainability levels and management controls.

Observer services are also used by external agencies (eg the fishing industry and the Department of Conservation (DoC)) to gather specific information for those agencies and as an input into their management requirements. Provision of observer services is based on the Ministry’s capacity to supply the requisite number of observers with the required skill levels to cover requests from internal and external sources.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. Information and/or data collected by observers throughout the year, in accordance with agreed client specifications.
   
2. Observer coverage delivered for an average cost not exceeding $500 per day, excluding GST.
   
3. Observer coverage (sea days) delivered to within +/- 10% of the agreed annual plan at either a species level or fishing area(s)/method level, depending on client specification.
   
4. Clear and transparent processes are operated to identify variations to the observer annual plan, and communicate these changes to clients and stakeholders.
   
5. Effective processes are in place to implement any changes required to the plan through the course of the operating year.

Cost