Industry body, Seafood New Zealand says proposed changes to commercial fishing rules are a win for consumers, common sense and sustainability. The proposals, published by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) today, outline a number of changes intended to increase the certainty, efficiency and responsiveness of our fisheries management system.
Seafood New Zealand CEO Lisa Futschek says the proposed changes are a positive thing for everyone.
“The intention is to make our industry more sustainable in every sense of the word. The health of our oceans is the first equal priority with the sustainability of our businesses and communities. These proposed changes have the potential to improve current outdated regulations that are holding back innovation and growth.
“For example, where we have new camera technology on our vessels that confirms what we’re catching, it makes sense to change the rules about landings and discards to allow fishers to return unwanted fish to the sea, rather than bring them all the way back to land where they will be disposed of. This might happen with a fish like rough skate, which would often end up being a waste product. If the proposals go through, it could be put back in the sea. The fisher would still have to “pay” for it because it will count against their annual limits (known as ACE or Annual Catch Entitlement). But this system will be more sustainable because that fish will stay in the ocean food web, rather than being a waste product on land.
“This is just one small example of a proposed change that is actually better for the environment and for our fishers. Only vessels with cameras or observers will be able to do this, which is another great use of camera technology.”
The proposals were shaped by a process led by the Ministry for Primary Industries where experts from the fishing industry were able to contribute their knowledge and ideas in a Seafood Industry Forum, which took place across 2024.
The Forum process was intended to recognise where there were opportunities to improve the management of our fisheries. Commercial fishing is an important part of the New Zealand economy and a significant employer. It contributes around $1.6 billion in export earnings annually. Around 16,500 people are employed either directly or indirectly by commercial fishing.
Ms Futschek is urging the public to read the full list of proposals and have their say. The consultation document and other details, including how to make a submission, can be found on MPI’s website.
“We would strongly encourage people to get involved in the process and familiarise themselves with what the proposals entail. We know there has been a lot of mis- and disinformation spread about commercial fishing in recent years. Most of that is seriously out of date, often referencing situations that perhaps were true forty years ago but are very different today. Reading the full document from MPI will help everyone see the common sense behind these changes and why they are needed.
“Our excellent Quota Management System is recognised globally and it is one of the reasons 97% of the total commercial landings by weight are from stocks which are in good shape (source: Summary overview of 2023 fish stock status ). But every system needs tweaking from time to time, particularly when new technology comes along that renders some of the rules out of date.
“We want to thank Minister Shane Jones and the experts from MPI who were part of this process, which will create better fisheries management systems that will be an advantage to everyone. That includes our communities who rely on the seafood industry and consumers who can know they are benefitting from a more up to date system that’s focused on sustainability. These changes will help our fishers stay in the business of putting incredibly healthy New Zealand seafood on Kiwis’ plates, in a more efficient and smarter way.”
