Fisheries Compliance

Fisheries Compliance is the front line face of the Ministry of Fisheries. This section explains what Fisheries Compliance goals are, what services we will deliver to meet them, who we are and what jobs we do.

Goal

To achieve optimal compliance with fisheries laws that underpin the sustainable utilisation of New Zealand fisheries by:

Encouraging fishers to voluntarily comply with fisheries laws and

Ensuring that there is an effective deterrent against non-compliance

Maximising voluntary compliance

The greatest way to ensure voluntary compliance is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the rules. The Ministry of Fisheries does this by providing:

• Education and advice through brochures, signage, beach patrols, school and fishing club visits, 0800 rules and 0800 poacher lines
• Involving stakeholders in development of management rules for fisheries
• Involving stakeholders in compliance planning
• Lowering compliance costs
• Assessment of voluntary compliance

Getting more stakeholders involved in the development of fisheries management rules and delivery of services allows greater understanding, acceptance and compliance with the rules. It also ensures those rules are appropriate to that fishery.

Ensuring there is an effective deterrent

The greatest way to ensure there is an effective deterrent is to provide incentives for people to comply with the rules. The Ministry of Fisheries does this by:

• Developing fisheries management rules that penalise fishers for illegal fishing
• Effective monitoring and surveillance through beach patrols and targeted operations
• Warning, fining (through infringement notices) and prosecuting offenders