This letter contains my preliminary views on the sustainability measure and management control proposals that will be subject to consultation between MFish and myself and interested stakeholders. I request that stakeholders forward their submissions on these proposals to my office by Friday 26 July 2002. The date for receipt of submissions has changed from that stated initially by MFish.

Tarakihi 1 (TAR 1)
I note the support of the Fishery Assessment Plenary for the inclusion of this proposal in the AMP. The plenary considered that there is a reasonable probability that the current stock biomass is greater than the size that will support the MSY.

My initial view is to accept the TAR 1 TAC and level of allowances proposed in the IPP. However, I note that there is, as yet, no detail to support the proponents’ stated intention to implement catch-spreading arrangements to avoid localised depletion. Such arrangements are likely to be of high interest to the recreational and customary sectors, who have yet to provide comment on this proposal.

Given that the tarakihi fishery in the Bay of Plenty area in particular is a multi-sector fishery, I would expect to receive informative submissions covering the customary and recreational perspectives. I would also encourage the respective sectors to discuss elements of this proposal with each other so that, if possible, issues can be resolved directly. I note that MFish will be able to assist this process by facilitating such interactions during the consultative phase.