The Ministry of Fisheries is to create regional recreational fishing forums to improve the quality of participation by the recreational sector in fisheries management processes and decisions.
The forums will function in conjunction with current Ministry of Fisheries processes for consulting, and obtaining advice on statutory decisions. It is likely that the forums will consider such issues as proposed sustainability measures; compliance issues; and research and other fisheries services.
The Ministry of Fisheries will appoint the members of each forum on the basis of defined criteria and following a process to gather expressions of interest from regional recreational interest groups and the public at large.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Ministry of Fisheries will: |
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| 1. |
Inform the forum of all issues to be addressed in the Ministry’s formal processes: |
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- Annual sustainability rounds
- Annual research rounds
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| 2. |
Provide specific and detailed information on all issues relevant to the Forum during the Ministry’s formal processes. |
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Convey the views of recreational representatives to the Minister of Fisheries to assist in the decision making process. |
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Provide education material where necessary to ensure that forum members are able to effectively participate and contribute to the functions of the forum. |
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Ensure the forum is updated on all relevant MFish activities. |
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| Forum members will: |
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| 1. |
Primarily represent the views of recreational fishers on proposals for fisheries management change in their area of interest or nationally. |
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Alert the Ministry to regional issues of importance to the marine recreational fishing sector. |
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Identify specific issues of interest in the Ministry’s formal processes that require discussion or further clarification. |
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Nominate topics or issues that require education or increased awareness (for forum members or the broader community). |
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Disseminate information to clubs, organisations and the general community. |
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Actively participate in the discussion of fisheries issues, particularly as they relate to the recreational fishing sector. These issues will include compliance matters and the relationship between recreational, customary and commercial fisheries. |
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Assist in raising public awareness of fisheries management. |
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FURTHER INFORMATION
Membership of the Forum |
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| Membership numbers in each forum will be limited. Members will be appointed on the basis of their ability to represent the views of the recreational sector and their knowledge of recreational fisheries, and issues affecting the recreational fishing sector. It is therefore desirable that members can demonstrate that they are representative of a recreational fishing organisation, one type of recreational fishing or of recreational fishing in a particular location. |
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| Chairperson |
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| The forums will be chaired by the Ministry. |
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| Administration |
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| The Ministry of Fisheries will provide administrative services to the Forums and will cover the reasonable travel, accommodation and meal expenses of Forum members. |
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| Term of appointment |
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| Members will initially be appointed for a term of two years, and could be represented at meetings by an alternate if required. |
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