Request for Proposals: SEC2008-08: East Coast Fishing Interests

The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) is undertaking research into the activities of commercial and non-commercial fishers within the area that includes and immediately surrounds the rohe moana (seaward territories) of the Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui hapu.

This area extends approximately from Gisborne in Poverty Bay to Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty.

A report is required that sets out catch and effort information (within the rohe moana) in relation to individual commercial fishers and commercial fisher groups, and non-commercial fisher groups. A Socio-Economic Assessment will be required to determine where else fishers could go to undertake the same or similar activities, were certain areas to be closed through bylaws.

The key outcomes of the project will be to inform MFish of the following, regarding commercial and non-commercial fishers, within the Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui rohe moana:

• who is catching the fish
• where is the fish being caught
• what species of fish are being caught and by what method
• the time of year that fish are caught
• Where else fishers could go to undertake the same or similar activities

The output of this research project will be to inform the Minister of Fisheries, Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui when assessing bylaws proposed under the Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui Foreshore and Seabed Agreements.

The project will run from March 2009 until April 2010.

The deadline for submissions is 5pm, Friday 20 February 2009.

Download the full RFP Document (PDF 253KB)

Additional Information:

1. MFish would like to confirm that no indicative budget for the research is being provided to applicants. We invite applicants to submit their estimated costings as part of their full research proposal.
2. The Ministry is prepared to accept bids for this project offering multiple options in terms of levels of commitment and costings.
3. The Ministry is aware of key access points along the coast of the research area, and will provide this information to the successful applicant. Ngäti Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui would also be able to provide further information on key access points during the research design phase.
4. MFish will require historic analysis of commercial data from 2001 to the present. However, there is unlikely to be sufficient customary or recreational data to enable a serious long term analysis of fishing behaviour for these two groups.
5. The species identified in the RFP are the main species that MFish has identified as being caught in the research area, but paua could also be included. However, if the research identifies further key species, that information would be included as part of the research project.
6. The rec data base consists of two main databases. The first is a series of adhoc surveys including diary surveys, boat ramp surveys and shellfish harvest surveys. The second is aerial survey data. This database is held by NIWA and is available publicly. Some data is sensitive (such as respondent names) and access may be restricted. MFish will provide the successful applicant with access to this data.
7. The Ministry holds some information on customary fishing activities, comprising records of customary authorisations granted by Tangata Kaitiaki under the Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998 and section 27a of the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations. Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui hold further information on these matters. This information will be made available to the successful applicant.
8. To clarify, the Ministry does not expect research providers to have sub-contracting relationships in place, prior to the submission of the research proposal, to work with Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui to collect information on customary fishing. These relationships will be developed during the research design phase, following selection of the successful applicant.

Submissions should be sent to:

Corporate Monitoring Unit
Ministry of Fisheries
PO Box 1020
Wellington
contracts@fish.govt.nz

If you require further information on the research topic please contact:
Geremy Schofield (geremy.schofield@fish.govt.nz)

If you require further information on the submissions process please contact:
Hayden Taylor (hayden.taylor@fish.govt.nz)