Pulse check
New Zealand's fisheries management system is sound. Scientific assessments show that overall New Zealand's fisheries are doing well.
However, the system's key building blocks – the Fisheries Act and the Quota Management System – have been in place for 20 and 30 years respectively. Technology has advanced and society's expectations of how fisheries management should operate have changed over that time, giving us an opportunity to review the system. We want to ensure it continues to deliver for all users.
- What's covered by the review
- What's not in the review
- MPI initiatives underway
We want you to have your say
What's covered by the review
This review gives us a chance to think more broadly about our key processes, regulatory and legislative settings.
We'll be considering the changing needs and expectations of the people who use New Zealand's fisheries to ensure our systems are best focused to sustainably deliver on those needs.
Geographic coverage
The area includes the New Zealand coastline (territorial sea) and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as well as freshwater fisheries, such as eel and mullet. The focus is on wild catch fish species and shellfish.
Learn more about the current status of our fisheries
Five themes
There are 5 themes to the review of the fisheries management system. These are about how to future-proof the system to ensure:
- sustainability
- benefits for all New Zealanders
- decision-making processes
- monitoring and enforcement
- responding effectively to future challenges.
Read a summary about what these themes mean
What's not in the review
The review focuses on enhancing the fisheries management system that we currently have. These core elements of the system will not be changed:
- sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources as set out in Section 8 of the Fisheries Act
- the QMS tools (quota and annual catch entitlements)
- the rights of commercial quota ownership
- the Crown's obligations under Treaty settlements
- the rights and interests of tangata whenua, and customary management.
- the right to fish for recreation.
The areas and fisheries not included are the high seas beyond New Zealand's EEZ.
MPI initiatives underway
The review also recognises the range of initiatives already underway to respond to identified needs in the fisheries management system.
Read about fishery management initiatives underway
What we did
We want you to have a say
BeforeWe're still at the beginning of this process – we canhaven't developed proposals yet and nothing has been decided. We need to understand the issues first and develop proposals that sustainably deliver for everyone, we need to understand the issues.everyone.
Feedback was sought fromTo do this, we'll be seeking the views of everyone with an interest in our fisheries.
As well as an online questionnaire, we ran drop-in information sessions and met with interested groups. MPI fisheries experts were available to answer questions and questionnaires could be completed at the venues.
What happens next
From your feedback, we'll produce a report – What we heard – forfor the Minister for Primary Industries early in 2016 for his consideration.2016.
Once we've finalised our proposals, everyone will then have a chance to comment through a formal consultation process in mid-2016.
Any changes to the system as a result of this review are likely to be made in 2017.
Have your say
If you feel that you already know what you want to say, you can complete the questionnaire online.
Who to contact
If you have questions about this review, email: fisheries.review@mpi.govt.nz .