Industry Focused on Shared Fisheries Solutions

NZ Seafood Industry Focused on Shared Fisheries Solutions

1 March 2007

Practical alternatives to the Government's Shared Fisheries proposals that will enhance New Zealand's sustainable fisheries management framework were revealed today by the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council.

"While we reject the government's proposals, we see this as an opportunity to move forward together and ensure that New Zealanders get maximum benefit from the fisheries," said Owen Symmans, chief executive of the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council.

"What we need is better, more reliable and timely information on how much fish is being caught, confirmation of existing allocations and exchange of catching rights only on a willing buyer/willing seller basis," said Mr Symmans.

The seafood industry's submission on the Shared Fisheries proposal includes a range of solutions that can enhance the fisheries management framework, Mr Symmans said.

"Our goal is a common one - to ensure sustainable fisheries. We've worked closely with recreational and customary representatives in the past and will continue to do so. Issues affecting fisheries can be more effectively resolved by the parties involved than by some form of [government] intervention.

Local issues need to be resolved locally. We need to enable local management solutions on a negotiated and agreed basis, that are driven by the affected participants [in a fishery]. There are many examples of voluntary agreements between sectors to resolve shared fisheries issues that are working well, Mr Symmans said.

The industry is keen to continue to work with other groups to put systems in place that will promote better information and more effective solutions.

"We believe the Minister understands the issues and urge him to lead an engagement process where all sectors work together to identify and implement appropriate measures that will enhance fisheries management and provide certainty for everybody," he said.

ENDS

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