2 April 2007 Speech

Hon Parekura Horomia, Associate Minister of Fisheries

Opening address for 2nd Annual Mäori Fisheries Conference

Tënä koutou, tënä koutou, tënä tätou kätoa

Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today. The theme chosen for your conference – Kanohi ki te Kanohi – Face to Face – is a good one. The issues included in the conference programme reflect the wide interest that Mäori have in fisheries and the marine environment. Mäori are major and successful players in New Zealand’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.

Their interests are also strongly focused on the customary use of these resources. As well as managing this balance, Mäori have long recognised the need for constructive relationships with others who use these resources. This conference provides an opportunity to acknowledge this, and to work face to face to strengthen relationships both across the sector and with government.

Shared Fisheries

The shared nature of our fisheries resources is a topic that has received much attention of late. The High Court decision on Kahawai and consultation on the Government’s Shared Fisheries discussion document are matters that Mäori and others are watching closely. Both are central to resolving some of the issues that confront the management of our fisheries.

The overall goal of the Shared Fisheries initiative is to enable increases in value from the use of fisheries. All stakeholders agree that our fisheries resources need to be managed sustainably, but we also need to make best use of these resources.

Just over a month ago members of Labour's Mäori Caucus met with iwi leaders to discuss the 'shared fisheries' proposals that were out for public consultation – I expect people here made submissions.

Iwi leaders initially sought the meeting with myself as the Minister of Mäori Affairs. They arrived from around the country and provided an overview of their views about Mäori marine asset management, sustainability and processes of policy development between iwi and the Crown. This latter issue was stressed due to the especial relationship between Mäori and the Crown as represented in the 1992 Deed of Settlement.

I noted from Iwi leaders at the meeting that there was significant concern that a perception existed that the proposals undermine the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Settlement of 1992. These views were reflected in submissions received during the consultation process.

The Minister of Fisheries has made it clear that the Government has no intention whatever under any circumstances of interfering with any deed of settlement process or outcomes. I strongly support this. The Minister of Fisheries has also been clear that there is no intention whatever of interfering with the Quota Management System in any way shape or form except by a willing seller process. This is an important aspect of the proposals and is a matter that will receive careful attention when the proposals are reported back to Cabinet towards the middle of this year.

Iwi leaders at the meeting were very clear that they support the idea of a comprehensive management regime. Obviously good information is required and all three sectors of the fishing industry (commercial, customary and recreational), where Mäori have an intricate knowledge, should be given due regard. I understand that submissions received on the proposals show that some Mäori do support a number of the proposals.

Mäori are strongly involved in commercial fishing. Mäori are the only group in this country who have customary fishing rights. Mäori are recreational fishers. There are plenty of Mäori in this rohe out on the weekend fishing recreationally. As the host of this conference Ngahiwi Tomoana has stated iwi do straddle the three spheres of activity within Tangaroa. Let's not forget that. Let's not forget we have an obligation as kaitiaki to ensure our future generations can continue to fish.

Consequently, I am pleased to hear that Ngati Kahungunu have offered to work with the Ministry of Fisheries to ensure that there's greater education brought to this and greater information on it. I encourage others to do the same.

The current situation is unsatisfactory. There is uncertainty about how to address allocation issues between sectors. There is no provision for redress following adjustments in allocations. There is a lack of information on amateur catch. Amateur fishers, many of whom are Mäori, are not resourced or structured to properly engage in fisheries management.

These problems are not going to go away if we do nothing. The only people that win in an environment of uncertainty are those with law degrees and they have already benefited from Mäori to too great a degree. Release of the Shared Fisheries document in October last year started a process whereby these matters can be discussed and suggestions made to help resolve these difficult issues. That is what on-going consultation is all about and that is why I am here with you today. Let me reiterate what the Minister of Fisheries has already publicly stated – that if we can't get a broad acceptance and consensus of this it won't happen.

Fisheries Plans

Continuing with the theme of shared fisheries and increasing value, I want to talk a little about fisheries plans. These plans are intended to provide an objectives-based management approach to fisheries. At its simplest, objectives-based fisheries management is being clear about what we want to achieve in a fishery – our objectives – and how we will manage the fishery to achieve our objectives. The objectives must deliver both Government obligations and tangata whenua and stakeholder goals.

Good progress is being made implementing objectives-based Management. Key milestones in 2006 included completion of three “proof of concept” fisheries plans for the Foveaux Strait Oyster, Southern Blue Whiting, and Coromandel Scallop Fisheries, development of a new information system to support fisheries planning, and consultation on the first fisheries standards, including the all-important harvest strategy standard.

Twenty-six plans describing current management of all New Zealand fisheries are scheduled for completion by mid-2007. These will be used as the starting point for the Ministry and tangata whenua and stakeholders to develop new objectives-based plans for all fisheries over the next five years. The development of these plans needs to provide for the input and participation of Mäori. The Ministry will need to keep working with iwi to find ways of doing this. Mäori will need to reconcile their interests so that they can bring proposals to the table.

Marine reserves and bottom trawling

I see that later today the issues of marine reserves and bottom trawling will be discussed. I think it is appropriate for me to raise some points about the work that Government and the Ministry of Fisheries is doing in these areas.

First, a few words about marine reserves. The marine reserve legislation allows a proposed marine reserve to have some effect on each fishing sector. Ministers must carefully assess these proposals and determine whether or not that effect is too great. This means, for example, when the Ministry of Fisheries is asking about customary fishing in the proposed area, it is doing its job of advising the Minister of Fisheries.

This is the opportunity for tangata whenua to inform the Minister about how they may care for and use the area for customary, recreational and commercial purposes. Mäori must be able to exercise customary fishing rights and express their views.

These rights are non-negotiable and integral to the Deed of Settlement. The Government takes its Treaty partnership responsibilities very seriously.
The Marine Protected Area Policy (MPA) and Implementation Plan announced by the Government in early 2006 marks an important transition point in considering proposals for marine reserves.

Tangata whenua will have a chance to say where they think marine reserves or other tools should be, before they are proposed. This is a good start for developing a comprehensive network of protected marine areas and ensures that proposals have been strategically considered. The real debate is not whether marine reserves should be banned. It is more about in circumstances where they are appropriate and necessary, they can be located to minimise impacts on existing use.

This policy encourages consideration of all of the available tools for MPA implementation and promotes better engagement with local communities and Mäori on areas for protection. The confirmation of representative areas for protection is based on science. Where there is a choice of sites to protect a particular habitat or ecosystem type, the site chosen should minimise adverse effects on existing users and Treaty Settlement obligations, as long as an adequate standard of protection is achieved and Government policy is complied with.

In the meantime, the Government intends to follow through with the applications for marine reserves off the coast of Great Barrier Island and perhaps a small portion of Akaroa Harbour. The Government has recently established marine reserves in Whangarei Harbour, Volkner Rocks, north Taranaki and more recently the Wellington south coast. Very soon we should hear the outcome of the Tapuae application outside New Plymouth.

Bottom trawling has been a topical issue lately and it is something that the Government is keeping a close eye on. The Government is managing this issue both on the international stage and closer to home. New Zealand has been a leading advocate at the United Nations General Assembly for the adoption of controls on bottom trawling on the High Seas, but using mechanisms that have integrity and are based on good science.

Late last year the United Nations adopted a resolution calling for measures to address the impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems in the High Seas, particularly seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold water corals. New Zealand will continue to work constructively with the international community to give effect to that resolution.

In our own waters, New Zealand is also actively managing bottom trawling. This is a fishing method that can damage the seafloor, but also one that is of great economic importance to our fisheries, so getting the balance right is important. The Government will soon consult on a strategy to set limits on the acceptable level of bottom trawling to give effect to the obligations under the Fisheries Act. One constructive initiative in this area is the industry’s Benthic Protection Area proposal. Government is giving positive consideration to this proposal and if it proceeds it would be a useful contribution.

Aquaculture

I am pleased to see that some conference time will be spent discussing aquaculture. Mäori currently have a significant and growing investment in the aquaculture industry. Mäori also have customary interests and a kaitiaki role in the coastal marine environment. They have a role in ensuring that aquaculture development is appropriate in light of those interests.

The legislative framework we now have provides a much improved process for considering competing interests for use of coastal space. In addition, the settlement of aquaculture claims will enable future development to occur with more certainty. The settlement will also provide opportunities for Mäori as the assets from the settlement, in the form of space, are transferred to iwi over the next few years.

Aquaculture has the potential to assist economic development at both regional and national levels, benefiting Mäori communities directly and the wider growth and prosperity of the industry.

Mäori offer a unique set of skills and experiences that can add value to export products and businesses. Aquaculture development is a long term undertaking, and considerable expertise and investment is necessary before returns can be expected from participation in this industry. Mäori will need to be realistic and well-advised before these returns and full potential of Mäori in the industry can be realised.

The government has identified the promotion of Mäori success in aquaculture as a key tenet of its strategic approach to aquaculture development and is committed to a number of initiatives aimed at supporting Mäori development in aquaculture.

The industry is also committed to promoting Mäori success in aquaculture. Our focus is on providing support for building capability and strategic planning, and by facilitating commercial ventures between Mäori and industry. For example, we are assisting some iwi groups to develop aquaculture plans which could act as templates for other regions to learn from. We are also looking at what government business programmes and regional development programmes could better support Mäori in aquaculture.

Adopting a partnership approach between Mäori, industry, local and central government and other interest groups is critical to fully realising the opportunities for Mäori in aquaculture.

I think you should pursue strategic partnerships and the development of a strong strategic position in the industry. I’m aware that part of this conference will involve discussion and a decision about Mäori representation on New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd as the industry body. I strongly encourage debate on this position and appointment given the unique opportunity to ensure Mäori interests and values are fully promoted in this developing industry.

To conclude, I would like to congratulate Ngahiwi and the conference organisers on bringing us together for this hui. Working face to face and recognising the shared nature of our fisheries resources is important, and I encourage you all to make the most of this conference to strengthen relationships and develop consensus on how to progress.

ENDS

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