Wayne McNee: Safety nets in place to protect fishing's future

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New Zealand's internationally recognised fisheries management system gives confidence that we have a solid platform to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries for the future.

Recently Trish Rea of the lobby group option4 noted in the Herald: "Ultimately, the quota management system [QMS] is delivering exactly what it was designed to achieve - greatest economic efficiency."

That statement tells only part of the story. The quota system working together with the provisions of the Fisheries Act 1996 and our new harvest strategy standard has delivered an internationally acknowledged balance between economic development, sustainability and environmental protection.

Quota management has been the cornerstone of our fisheries management since 1986. It helps ensure sustainable use of fisheries resources through the direct control of catch (harvest) levels for each fish species.

Legislation requires fish populations be managed at or above the population size that can produce "maximum sustainable yield". The Ministry of Fisheries strives to respond when the science shows action is needed to protect the sustainability of any fishery.

Catch limits move up and down to take into account changes in the abundance of a fish stock.

Recent international reports acknowledge the credibility of New Zealand's Quota Management System as a world-leading economic and sustainability model. A World Bank report in 2008 praised our approach to fisheries management and said fishing rights through quota-based systems have turned the tide on unsustainable fishing.

This year New Zealand was one of only two marine areas to receive a "green" rating, the highest allocated, in the most comprehensive international scientific research of its type ever undertaken. "Rebuilding Global Fisheries", co-authored by New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries chief scientist Pamela Mace, was published in the prestigious journal, Science.

This research identified the tools managers use in their efforts to rebuild depleted fish stocks.

Catch share systems and controls on total allowable catch - both components of New Zealand's QMS - were viewed as particularly important.

The authors also emphasised the need for clear rules and targets for rebuilding, and the importance of fisheries certification systems that provide incentives for improved management practices.

Environmental protection is another key element of New Zealand fisheries management. We have a range of measures in place, both regulatory and non-regulatory, to limit the adverse effects of fishing.

In her article, Trish Rea makes a number of points on the use of foreign charter vessels in New Zealand waters. Government policy permits quota owners, including iwi owners, to choose how they wish to maximise the value of their fishing quota.

Each year fishing companies make business decisions regarding the way they will harvest their fish. The use of foreign charters to harvest New Zealand-owned catch entitlements is a legitimate option for companies to consider.

Any decision to limit the ability of these companies to use the foreign fleet runs the risk of there being insufficient domestic capacity to meet demand.

All fishing vessels including foreign vessels must comply with fisheries legislation and regulations, including rules designed to protect the environment. If non-compliance is detected, there are severe penalties which can include prosecution and vessel forfeiture.

Legislation does not permit foreign charters to operate within New Zealand's inshore fisheries. They are excluded from the territorial sea - 12 nautical miles from the shore - and the Fisheries Act restricts larger vessels from fishing in other areas of the exclusive economic zone.

The fisheries sector is unusual in that the industry is charged directly for a large proportion of the cost of science, research and compliance services delivered by the Ministry of Fisheries.

Trish Rea raises concerns about the validity and robustness of science research purchased directly by the industry. The option for the industry to purchase research directly in order to deliver more information to manage our fisheries is a valid one, provided that this research meets the appropriate quality standards.

All research that is used to inform fisheries management decisions is independently peer reviewed by the Ministry of Fisheries' science working group process.

We have achieved economic efficiency and sustainable fisheries, but we need to keep working to improve the environmental and economic performance of our fisheries and to improve the value we all receive from them.

I am confident that we can deliver the balance we need between economic development and sustainability.

* Wayne McNee is chief executive of the Ministry of Fisheries.