DEPARTMENTAL OUTPUT EXPENSE - FISHERIES POLICY ADVICE

Description

This includes the services that ensure development and review of policy and legal frameworks for the sustainable and efficient use of
fisheries resources.

Objectives

• Provide and improve a conceptual framework for the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries resources.
• Participate in the development and review of international frameworks, and implement the decisions in a domestic context. 
• Provide services to the Minister of Fisheries and Select Committees as required.

Financial Performance

Explanation of year-on-year changes

International fisheries policy advice provided

For 2005/06 this includes:

1. the funding previously applied to ‘International utilisation and sustainability reported’ transferred from Departmental Output Expense - Fisheries operations - $763 
   
2. a new initiative to enhance the Ministry’s capability to manage the increasing international dimension to its work, particularly in the South Pacific and in the establishment and servicing of regional fisheries management organisations - $667 
   
3. funding for the Government’s Growth and Innovation Framework - $50.

Biodiversity policy advice

The funding for this output has been transferred from Departmental Output Expense - Fisheries policy advice into Departmental Output Expense - Fisheries operations as a new output ‘Biodiversity policy advice’.

NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES POLICY ADVICE PROVIDED

Explanation

This service provides advice on policy development aimed at:

• protecting the health of the aquatic environment 
• enabling New Zealanders to get the best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries resources 
• ensuring the Crown delivers on its obligations to Maori with respect to fisheries.

The work programme being undertaken by the Ministry’s Policy and Strategy group covers a range of policy development activities,
in the following key areas:

Fisheries reform

Legislative and policy reforms to enhance the management of, and value obtained from, New Zealand fisheries, including:

1. Allocation and sector engagement 
   This work area includes reforms to improve the tools for intersectoral allocation and to improve Ministry engagement with fisheries stakeholders (especially non-commercial stakeholders and the public).
   
2. Environmental performance
   This work area includes reforms to enhance the environmental performance of the fisheries sector, including managing the impact of fishing on the environment and at-risk species, and managing the impact of other activities on fisheries resources and habitats.
   
3. Adding value to fisheries sectors 
   This work area deals with reforms to add value to New Zealand’s fisheries sectors, including tools to enable stakeholders to take responsible initiatives to add value and tools to ensure efficient delivery of services.

Fisheries outcomes and monitoring

This work area deals with establishing fisheries outcomes, and monitoring and reporting on indicators of their achievement.

Marine sector policy development

This work area is to provide a contribution to legislative and policy reforms to improve the management of New Zealand’s marine resources, including a significant contribution to the Oceans Policy. It involves leading and/or contributing to multi-departmental and whole-of-government initiatives.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. By 30 June 2006, provide a report to the Minister of Fisheries assessing options to improve certainty around intersectoral allocation. The report will meet the quality criteria set out on page 32.
2. By 30 June 2006, develop a report evaluating mechanisms and tools to improve environmental performance. The report will meet the quality criteria set out on page 32.
3. By 30 June 2006, identify and evaluate options to facilitate collective responsibility by stakeholders. 
4. By 31 March 2006, provide advice to Government to establish fisheries outcomes. Advice and reports will meet the quality
   criteria set out on page 32.

Cost

INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES POLICY ADVICE PROVIDED

Explanation

This service contributes to the development of bilateral, regional and multilateral frameworks for managing international fisheries, with the aim of:

• protecting the health of the aquatic environment 
• enabling New Zealanders to get the best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries resources 
• strengthening governance arrangements for high seas fisheries.

The focus is the sustainable use of international fisheries resources through the establishment of robust management regimes. The Ministry works to promote and protect New Zealand’s fisheries interests through:

• engagement and influence in international institutions (eg the fisheries committees or working groups of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the United Nations (UN) and the
  Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)) to improve the sustainable use of fisheries resources
• engagement and influence in regional fisheries management organisations and arrangements to ensure the sustainable use of
  fisheries resources (eg the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT), the Western and Central
  Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
  (CCAMLR) and the South Tasman Rise (STR)) 
• promote strong governance arrangements for the sustainable management of fisheries resources beyond the New Zealand EEZ.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

1. Negotiating positions developed and approved by Ministers prior to the start of international meetings.
2. Reports provided on the outcomes of meetings within two weeks of return to New Zealand are agreed by the Minister.

MINISTERIAL SERVICES PROVIDED

Explanation

This service includes the drafting of reports and advice to Ministers and to Select and Cabinet Committees, replies to ministerial
correspondence and responses to Parliamentary questions.

All government departments are required to provide services to the portfolio Minister(s) to enable them to carry out their statutory
functions.

Expected results

Quality and timeliness

Cost