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Background
On 8 March 2001, the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) wrote to stakeholders
to begin the process of introducing further fish, shellfish and
other aquatic species into the quota management system (QMS). In
that letter, MFish sought comments on the criteria for determining
the order in which species are introduced, including ranking the
criteria in terms of importance, as well as submissions on the species
that should be considered for early inclusion in the QMS.
Update
MFish has now considered submissions received from stakeholders
in response to the 8 March letter. MFish has also conducted a review
of management priorities following consultation on the 2001-04 Business
Plan. As a result of this consultation MFish has determined to escalate
the process of introducing species into the QMS from the 6-8 species
previously planned by 1 October 2003 to a new target of 50 species
by 2004. Batches of new species will be introduced at the start
of the 1 October 2002 fishing year and in the subsequent two years
on 1 April and 1 October as appropriate.
This letter outlines the proposed list of stocks for introduction
into the QMS in 1 October 2002 (refer to Table 1). The list of proposed
stocks was determined in light of the decision was made escalate
the rate of introductions and after considering the limited time
and resources available before 1 October 2002. The level of effort
required to manage the administrative components of any new species
introduction differs depending on the nature of the fishery concerned
and the fisheries management rules required in managing each fishery.
MFish considered a wide range of species for introduction by 1 October
2002 and determined the complexity of introduction for each species.
The relatively short time available to conduct the required process
for introduction and the resource constraints within MFish meant
that only a limited number of species/stocks could be considered
for introduction by 1 October 2002. These species/stocks were categorised
as being relatively easy to introduce and therefore able to be introduced
by 1 October 2002. Species/stocks that are potentially easy to introduce
include those species that are subject to Individual Catch Entitlement
arrangements and/or are relatively simple to develop stock allocation
policies for.
MFish realises that there are other species that stakeholders and
management imperatives suggest should be given a higher priority
status. Unfortunately insufficient time and resources are available
to meet the process deadlines for introduction of these species
by 1 October 2001. MFish will nonetheless be beginning the process
of determining which species will be considered for introduction
into the QMS by 1 October 2003 in the near future. That process
will involve a further prioritisation exercise. The Ministry has
allocated additional staff and administrative resources to support
this process.
The species/stocks being considered for introduction by 1 October
2001 are detailed in Table 1. MFish is currently undertaking an
analysis of the costs and benefits and other factors relevant to
the Minister's decision to support this process.
Table 1 Species being considered for Introduction into the QMS on
1 October 2002
| Species |
Current Management Areas |
| Kina (SUR) |
FMAs 3, 4, 5 & 7 *(1, 2, 8 & 9) |
| Paddle crab (PAD) |
FMAs 1 - 10 |
| Butterfish (BUT) |
FMAs 1 - 10 |
| Blue Mackerel (EMA) |
FMAs 1 - 10 |
| Queen Scallop (QSC |
FMAs 3 & 5 |
| Dredge Oysters (OYS) |
FMA 4 |
| Scallops (SCA) |
FMA 4Coromandel scallop fishery |
| Cockles (COC) |
FMAs 1 (Snake Bank), 3 & 7 |
| Anchovies (ANC) |
FMAs 1 - 10 |
| Garfish (GAR) |
FMAs 1 - 10 |
| Sprats (SPR) |
FMAs 1 - 10 |
| Pilchard (PIL |
FMAs 1 - 10 |
· Note that information constraints and the potentially
longer time required for consultation mean that North Island kina
are not being considered for introduction into the QMS on 1 October
2002. The decision to escalate the number of introductions will
however enable North Island kina stocks to be considered for introduction
the following year.
MFish also considered proposing scampi and North Island eels for
introduction into the QMS in 1 October 2002. At this time both species
have been excluded from the above list because of anticipated delays
to introduction caused by current legal action relating to permits
in the scampi fishery and the need for ongoing consultation in the
eel fishery. Timing for introduction of the eel fishery into the
QMS will now focus on 1 October 2003.
Next steps
The next steps in the process of determining whether a species will
be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2002 are as follows:
a) By the end of July 2001 MFish will provide stakeholders with
an advice paper detailing proposed quota management areas (QMAs)
and costs and benefits of introducing the species listed in Table
1 into the QMS;
b) MFish will consult with stakeholders over an approximately four-week
period. Following this consultation MFish will submit final advice
and recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries on the costs and
benefits of introducing these species into the QMS and on their
QMAs;
c) If the Minister agrees that a species should be introduced on
1 October 2002, then a Declaration Notice will be published in the
Gazette that will contain the date of introduction and QMAs for
each species; and
d) Management measures (including TACs and TACCs) for each species
proposed for introduction will be discussed with stakeholders as
part of next year's Review of Sustainability Measures and Management
Controls for the 2002-03 fishing year.
If you have any questions regarding this information please contact
the following MFish staff at your nearest MFish office:
Randall Bess, Private Bag 14, Nelson (03) 548 1069
Steve Halley, P O Box 1020, Wellington (04) 470 2622
Dave Allen, P O Box 3437, Auckland (09) 361 4100
Scott Williamson, Private Bag 14, Nelson (03) 548 1069
Allen Frazer, Private Bag 1926, Dunedin (03) 474 2682
Yours sincerely
Michael Arbuckle
National Manager Fisheries Management
Ministry of Fisheries
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