Meet the Ministrys new Chief Executive - Ministry of Fisheries

16 TheBite APRIL 2008
Eight
fisheries
plans
groups are
underway
The first eight Fisheries Plans
Advisory Groups are up and running
and working towards finding the best
value from their fisheries.
MFish National Manager Fisheries Operations, Jonathan
Peacey, says fisheries plans are part of the objectives-based
management approach. This involves tangata whenua and
stakeholders working with MFish to determine how to get
the best value from fisheries for all those involved in fishing,
and the country as a whole, within environmental limits set
by Government.
Advisory groups are under way for the following fisheries:
Northland scallops, west coast North Island finfish, Gisborne/
East Coast rock lobster (CRA3), Challenger finfish (Nelson/
West Coast South Island), southern shellfish, Fiordland paua
(PAU5A), middle depth/deepwater, and tunas.
The advisory groups are made up of customary, commercial
and amateur fishers, environmental interests, and MFish staff
(including Operations, Science, and Compliance). Initially
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the groups review the current status and management of
the fishery, then develop objectives to get best value from
the fisheries, and determine the management measures
and services (e.g., research and enforcement) needed to
achieve those objectives. While working on fisheries plans,
advisory group members discuss progress and issues with
other members of their sector to ensure they can contribute
the best available information to the plan. When each plan is
finished it will go to the Minister of Fisheries for approval.
Jonathan says completing a fisheries plan is expected to
take between one and two years and the advisory group will
then oversee its implementation. He expects plans will be
reviewed every five years.
The Fisheries Planning Pages on the Ministry’s website
(www.fish.govt.nz) is the place to find information on fisheries
plans. Information includes: advisory group participants,
meeting dates, agendas and minutes, draft fisheries plans,
and lots of background information on the fisheries.
Jonathan says MFish is very happy with the progress the
eight advisory groups are making. Further groups will be set
up over the next few years to develop plans for the remaining
groups of fisheries.
ISSN 1177-388X