DEPARTMENTAL OUTPUT EXPENSE – FISHERIES OPERATIONS

Description

This provides for:

• the development of guidelines, regulations and processes that make the fisheries policy framework operational
• services to monitor the effectiveness of delivery of contracted and devolved registry services to ensure consistency and compliance with contracted or devolved standards
• the management and dissemination of information received from registry agencies for use by the Ministry in managing other output expenses
• a number of Ministry statutory decision processes
• a capacity to contribute to the formulation of strategic goals for the biosecurity system
• a capability to contribute to the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.

Objectives

• Allocate rights to utilise fisheries resources.
• Develop management plans to outline the Crown’s contribution to achieving fisheries outcomes.
• Evaluate fisheries plans in order to provide advice to the Minister.
• Specify, purchase and monitor the management of New Zealand fisheries.
• Develop and implement standards for the management of fisheries resources.
• Manage the cost recovery process.
• Contribute to the advice on biosbiecurity issues in New Zealand.
• Contribute to the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.

Financial performance

Explanation of year-on-year changes

New Zealand fisheries utilisation and sustainability reported

Includes:

1. the new initiative to increase the levels of engagement by fisheries stakeholders, who currently lack the capacity, experience and resources to effectively participate in fisheries management ($222)
   
2. the new initiative to implement a marine resource management regime across Fiordland’s marine environment ($218)
   
3. changes to reflect the greater degree of resource being devoted to this activity.

International utilisation and sustainability reported

This has been transferred to Departmental Output Expense – Fisheries Policy Advice, and amalgamated into ‘International fisheries policy advice provided’.

Deed of Settlement implemented

In the 2004 Budget, provision was made in Vote: Fisheries to increase the capacity of Maori to participate in fisheries management processes and implement the customary fishing regulations. The increase also enabled the Ministry to meet its Deed of Settlement obligations and comply with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The onflow funding from that decision is reflected in the 2005/06 baseline.

Registry services managed

The changes in this output are due to:

1. a reduction in the contract price for the services provided by Commercial Fisheries Services Ltd (FishServe)
   
2. a reduced level of resource being applied.

Biosecurity advice provided

In August 2004, the Government determined that the Ministry’s marine biosecurity functions would be transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), but that the Ministry would provide data management and contract management services for MAF. In addition, the Ministry would provide sectoral policy advice on the impact of biosecurity decisions on fisheries interests. The funding in this output provides for these functions to be undertaken.

Biodiversity advice provided

This output includes:

1. the funding for output Biodiversity advice provided previously contained in Departmental Output Expense – Fisheries Policy Advice ($202)
2. changes to reflect the greater degree of resource being applied.

NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES UTILISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTED

Explanation

This provides for fisheries management advice on utilisation and sustainability through:

• implementation and maintenance of the rights-based framework
• development and implementation of management plans
• evaluation of stakeholder fisheries plans
• provision of advice on marine reserve proposals and other spatial allocation applications
• implementation of regulatory amendments
• implementation of the Government’s aquaculture reforms.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. Develop 2-3 management plans as a ‘proof of concept’ and seek approval for them as fisheries plans under s11A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
2. Evaluate and provide recommendations on fisheries plans as required.
3. Standards and guidelines to support fisheries management will be developed as required.
4. As and when required, concurrence reports on marine reserve proposals will be provided to the Minister of Fisheries following receipt of a request by the Minister of Conservation:
• within an agreed timeframe for each request
• within the terms of the Marine Reserves Protocol.
5. A final advice paper is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on the proposed sustainability measures and management controls to be implemented for the 1 October 2005 fishing year. 
6. A final advice paper is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on the proposed sustainability measures and management controls to be implemented for the 1 April 2006 fishing year.
7. A final advice paper is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on setting out the TACs/TACCs for new species to be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2006.
8. An interim advice paper for consultation is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on setting out the TACs/TACCs for new species to be introduced into the QMS on 1 April 2007.
9. Regional forums to engage with recreational fishers will be established.

Cost

DEED OF SETTLEMENT IMPLEMENTED

Explanation

This provides for the delivery of many of the services needed to fulfil the Ministry’s Treaty and Deed of Settlement obligations. It includes Pou Hononga resources provided to build and maintain relationships, as well as the management of applications from tangata whenua to manage customary access.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. As required, and within allowable resources, provide timely advice on the implementation of the Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998 or the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999, including:
• appointment of Kaitiaki
• establishment of ma- taitai reserves
• establishment of taiapure/local fisheries
• other customary management proposals.
2. Continue to establish regional forums to engage with iwi and hapu.

Cost

COST RECOVERY PROCESS MANAGED

Explanation

In accordance with the Principles established under section 262 of the Fisheries Act 1996, certain costs incurred by the Ministry of Fisheries are able to be recovered, by way of levies and other charges, from the persons/organisations for whom the fisheries and conservation services are provided.

The purpose of this service is to ensure the processes used to calculate those levies and charges conform with the provisions of the Fisheries Act 1996 and the Fisheries (Cost Recovery) Rules 2001, and that any changes are advised to stakeholders in time to meet the requirements imposed for appropriate consultation and advice on the final levies.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. Two levy orders providing the revised cost recovery levies that are consistent with Part XIV of the Fisheries Act 1996 and the Fisheries (Cost Recovery) Rules 2001, error free and meet the 28 day rule requirements for notification to affected parties. The first levy order will take effect from 1 October 2005, with the amending levy order to be in place by 1 April 2006.

Cost

STATUTORY DECISION PROCESSES ADMINISTERED

Explanation

This output provides for fisheries management advice on:

• new marine and freshwater farm applications
• administration of existing marine and freshwater farm authorisations
• the issuing of special permits.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. The Ministry will resolve all applications made under the Marine Farming Act 1971, Fisheries Act 1983 or the Freshwater Fish Farming Regulations 1983 and applications for fish farm registration under the Fisheries Act 1996 on a timely basis.
2. 95% of applications for special permits will be determined within six months of the date of receipt of completed applications and to the following prescription:
• appropriate consultation is carried out in accordance with section 97(2) of the Fisheries Act 1996 on each application, prior to a decision to approve or decline the application
• the purpose for which a special permit is issued is consistent with those specified in section 97(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
• in compliance with the procedures in the Special Permit Manual.

Cost

REGISTRY SERVICES MANAGED

Explanation

Accurate and timely registry information is collected under contract or by a devolved agency (including permit holder register, vessel registers, quota and ACE ownership, catch data) to support sustainability and utilisation decisions within each fishery. The Ministry is required to ensure contracted or devolved registry services are delivered in a manner consistent with the standards and specifications for those services

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. Within one month of the end of each quarter, produce quarterly reports for registry-based services, with actual performance compared against:
• expectations as defined by the Minister of Fisheries in respect of services provided through the Approved Service Delivery Organisation
• expectations as defined by the Chief Executive in respect of services delivered by the Service Delivery Agency and in accordance with the Ministry’s agreed monitoring programme.
2. By 1 October 2005, allocate quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject to the Quota Management System for 1 October 2005, the allocation to be made in accordance with Part IV of the Fisheries Act 1996, and within the quality and timeframes defined in the Ministry’s Stock Allocation Policy in respect of that species and stock.
3. By 1 April 2006, allocate quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject to the Quota Management
   System for 1 April 2006, the allocation to be made in accordance with Part IV of the Fisheries Act 1996, and within the quality and timeframes defined in the Ministry’s Stock Allocation Policy in respect of that species and stock.
4. Ensure sufficient progress is made to enable quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject to the Quota Management System for 1 October 2006, to be implemented by that date; the allocation shall be made in accordance with Part IV of the Fisheries Act 1996, and within the quality and timeframes defined in the Ministry’s Stock Allocation Policy in respect of that species and stock.

Cost

BIOSECURITY ADVICE PROVIDED

Explanation

This output provides a capability for the Ministry to contribute to the formulation of strategic goals for the biosecurity system, monitor the performance of the system against specified outcomes and to provide advice on biosecurity risks to fisheries interests. The funding also enables the Ministry to provide data management and contract management services to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) following the transfer of marine biosecurity functions to MAF.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. As and when required, provide advice to Ministers on the fishing-related impacts of biosecurity decisions.
2. Contribute to the development of improvements to the biosecurity system.
3. Provide MAF with advice and support as required on relevant biosecurity issues.

Cost

BIODIVERSITY ADVICE PROVIDED

Explanation

In the 2000 Budget, the Ministry was provided with additional funding to enable it to contribute to the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy. The Strategy covers a broad range of activities across several departments. This output covers a range of work designed to
improve understanding of marine biological diversity and improve the management tools by which it is protected.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. Report annually on the implementation of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.

Cost