5. Managing in a changeable environment

Strategic and external risks

Strategic decision-making involves balancing strategic risks. Work that began in 2007 will see our strategic decision-making continue to improve. An organisation strategic risk management framework, and associated assessment, mitigation and monitoring processes, are being established and implemented.

We also consult regularly with tangata whenua and stakeholders and their feedback is an important check and balance on directions and decisions.

The fisheries sector faces externally-driven strategic risks associated with:

• climate change - and its potential to affect productivity of fisheries as well as the potential cost of meeting emission targets
   
  
• trade barriers - particularly growing concern about the environmental footprint of production and trade
   
  
• the lack of an integrated approach to managing ocean resources.

Managing these risks requires whole-of-Government initiatives. The Ministry takes part in these, particularly through the Sustainability agenda and ongoing work on Oceans Policy and other marine sector reform.

Risks, drivers, and risk management strategies in relation to each of our major outcomes, are set out below.