5. Managing in a changeable environment

Outcome 3: Credible fisheries management

Risks to achieving credible fisheries management relate to:

• management systems failure
   
  
• whether the Ministry has the capacity and capability to deliver on its organisational objectives
   
  
• whether stakeholders can engage in fisheries management processes
   
  
• publicity that undermines confidence in New Zealand’s fisheries management regime
   
  
• inadequate monitoring and evaluation.
   
  

In addition there are two factors that impact on the operating environment:

• Insufficient commitment to a problem-solving approach between sectors - linked to different values and rights, different organisational capacity and mandate, and the absence of a clear long-term Fisheries Strategy.
   
  
• A lack of public awareness and understanding of New Zealand’s fisheries management - resulting in ill-informed debate and lower than desired public support and confidence.
   
  

Organisational risks are managed by Ministry business groups and monitored through its organisational governance committee, and legal advice. Risks managed in this way include:

• maintaining organisational capacity and capability
   
  
• legal risk from processes and decisions
   
  
• financial management processes
   
  
• disaster recovery programme
   
  
• monitoring Ministry - provided and contracted services and obligations.
   
  

In addition there is a risk that the Crown will not be seen to be honouring its obligations under the aquaculture settlement. This risk arises due to limited progress in the establishment of new aquaculture space. This risk is being managed through the development of a plan for the delivery of the Crown’s obligations.

Other credibility risks are managed by:

• improvements in web-based access to information
   
  
• capacity building, especially among tangata whenua and amateur fishing stakeholders
   
  
• implementing a monitoring and reporting regime.