Recreational fishing Ministerial committee  Panel Terms of Reference

Introduction

The Minister of Fisheries has decided to establish a Recreational Fishing Ministerial Advisory Committee. The Committee will be an expert group of marine recreational fishers and will advise the Minister directly on the strategic issues confronting the marine recreational sector.

This initiative will give recreational fishers greater input into fisheries decision-making, and recognises the importance of recreational fishing to New Zealand society.

The Minister of Fisheries will appoint the Committee and its role will conclude at his/her discretion.

1. Membership of the Committee. The Committee will consist of up to eight members. Members will be appointed on the basis of their expert knowledge of recreational fisheries, and issues affecting the marine recreational fishing sector. It is desirable, although not essential, that members can demonstrate that they are representative of one type of recreational fishing or of recreational fishing in a particular location.

2. Chairperson. The Committee will be chaired by the Minister of Fisheries, or by his/her delegate, the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Fisheries.

3. Responsibilities. The members of the Committee will be responsible to the Minister of Fisheries for providing advice, as requested, on issues of strategic importance to government and the marine recreational fishing sector. These issues would include:

a) utilisation of fisheries resources with regard to recreational interests

b) ensuring sustainability of recreational fisheries

c) the environmental effects of fishing

d) strategies for managing recreational and mixed (recreational, customary and commercial) fisheries, including relationship building and legislative options

e) strategies for recreational fisheries research

f) policies and strategies to monitor non-commercial catch effectively and efficiently

g) compliance approaches affecting recreational fisheries

h) public awareness/education regarding fisheries management.

The Committee will not be used as part of any statutory consultation or decision-making processes.

4. Compliance with Government policies. In performing its functions, the Committee must comply with any directions from the Minister of Fisheries regarding the operation of the Committee, including requirements of confidentiality.

5. Duty to act in good faith. Members of the Committee have a duty to act at all times in good faith and in the best interests of the body to which they have been appointed.

6. Disclosure of interest. Members of the Committee will be required to disclose direct or indirect interests that may affect their judgement, or be perceived to affect their judgement, in the exercising of their duties and will not take part in any deliberation of the Committee relating to the matter in which the member has the interest. A conflict of interest will not necessarily bar an appointment.

7. Administration. The Ministry of Fisheries will provide administrative services to the Committee and will cover the reasonable travel, accommodation and meal expenses of Committee members. Committee members will be paid a meeting fee of $150 per meeting they attend. No fee will be payable for meeting preparation.

8. Term of appointment. The members of the Committee are appointed by the Minister of Fisheries for an indefinite term. The term of appointment will expire at the discretion of the Minister of Fisheries. The procedure for terminating a member’s appointment will be advice to that effect, in writing, from the Minister of Fisheries.