Operating intentions

Outcome 1: People are able to realise the best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries

What are we seeking to achieve?

Fisheries are valued for a wide range of uses, including customary, amateur, and commercial harvesting, as well as non-extractive uses, such as viewing a healthy aquatic environment. We need to understand the range and extent of those uses and values and enable allocation across different uses so that best value for New Zealand can be realised, now and in the future.

How will we demonstrate success?

It is difficult to measure best value across the whole fisheries sector. A range of factors that are beyond the Ministry’s influence affect value generation. These include the decisions made by individuals to participate in each sector, the state of our economy, and the effects of climate change. While the Ministry cannot control value creation, we can help enable value creation in each sector and across sectors.

We will demonstrate success in our efforts to ensure people are able to realise the best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries by achieving the following performance measures.

• Quota value increases by an estimated $400 million in real terms by 2014 from the current value of $3.97 billion.
• Aquaculture revenue is increasing and on track to reach the government goal of $1 billion by 2025¹ .
• By 2014, stocks comprising 75 per cent by value in the quota management system (QMS) have identified management objectives, and target and limit biological reference points.
• The level and security of access to international fisheries is maintained or increasing.
• Information on amateur and customary catch is improving.

Measures listed under the other outcomes will also help to indicate success for this outcome, and vice versa. For example, measures under outcome 2 are also relevant to this outcome; to ensure best value, we need to maintain the health of the aquatic environment. The third measure under outcome 2, in particular, also supports non-extractive uses and values. Compliance activities also contribute to this outcome (see measures of voluntary compliance under outcome 3).

What will we do to achieve this?

Understand the full range of values

The development of Fisheries 2030 will help us understand value across all stakeholders and tangata whenua. It is intended that the direction and actions identified will reflect the range of their values.

Amateur catch information will be improved by implementing charter boat reporting and research to improve catch estimation. Information on customary catch is improving as customary regulations are taken up by iwi. We will gain a better understanding of the values and aspirations of tangata whenua as we help to develop rohe moana² plans, which represent the full range of interests for tangata whenua. The issue of unreported commercial catch is being addressed through a joint initiative between the Ministry and industry.

To add to our understanding of value across all sectors, we will measure Ministry expenditure on each activity in relation to the outcomes we’re trying to achieve. This will help us ensure we are delivering value for money, and identify areas where a greater effort may be needed to drive toward outcomes.

Achieve best value across fishing sectors

Rules and regulations protect the value individuals obtain from their use of fisheries. We will continue to carry out education and compliance activities to help ensure that fishers act legally and we will increase frontline activity to provide a greater focus on compliance with fisheries rules and combating poaching.

A review of our policies, legislation and regulations will help us identify areas where we can reduce the legislative and regulatory burden as well as compliance costs, and support improved performance of the sector over time.

The monitoring and evaluation framework is intended to ensure progress is occurring, and the Ministry’s organisation design review will result in more effective and efficient delivery.

Achieve best value within each fishing sector

Fisheries plans provide opportunities to increase value from fisheries and help ensure management services support the achievement of that aim.

We will focus on aquaculture law reform to ensure the sustainable growth opportunities of the sector can be realised, so that aquaculture can make a valuable contribution to New Zealand’s economy. We will also work with the industry to help them achieve best value within current and future aquaculture space, through initiatives such as environmental certification and work on regional implementation.

The Ministry wants each sector to be able to get the greatest value from their share of a fishery.

From a commercial perspective, quota value reflects the quality of the management of the fishery, the price of fish and the cost of fishing. While the Ministry cannot really influence the former, we can have an effect on the cost of fishing.

Improving the effectiveness of the Ministry’s activities and services, reducing the costs of those services, and reducing business compliance costs will provide greater value to the commercial fishing industry, since they pay for services provided to them through cost recovery. Those costs flow through to quota value.

The Ministry is carrying out collaborative reviews with industry of observer and research services and discarding at sea. Any changes from the review of observer services will be considered, and if changes are recommended, consultation will be held with stakeholders. The review of research services is expected to result in initial improvements by 30 August 2009, with system reform options prepared by 30 November 2009 for consideration. Recommendations on a replacement policy framework resulting from the review of discarding at sea will be provided to the Ministry’s Chief Executive during 2009/2010.

The Ministry will also contribute to maintaining the value of quota by ensuring the sustainability of stocks and protection of the aquatic environment as described under outcome 2. Compliance activities will help to protect the value of rights.

To support the export of fish products, particularly to the EU, catch certification procedures for all seafood will need to be implemented. Environmental certification will support greater commercial access to more environmentally particular markets. Negotiations in international forums will help to increase New Zealand’s access to international fisheries.

The Ministry will establish “amateur only” fishing areas to enhance the quality of the amateur fishing experience.

To help maximise value for tangata whenua, consultation is underway on the Treaty Strategy. The completed strategy will help identify ways to best deliver on the Deed of Settlement. It will support tangata whenua to realise the diversity of their interests in fisheries – commercial, amateur, and non-commercial customary interests – in an integrated way.

¹ This supports industry’s goal: The aquaculture sector has set a sales target of $1 billion (2006 dollars) by 2025.
² Coastal areas where authorised individuals representing the area are appointed to manage customary food gathering.