Government to compensate fishers
31 March 2000
Government to compensate fishers
The
Government will compensate fishers for any reduction in
catch history for particular species when they are
introduced to the Quota Management System, Minister of
Fisheries Pete Hodgson announced today.
The species are
those listed on the Fourth Schedule of the Fisheries Act -
kahawai, kingfish, blue mackerel, eels, butterfish and
southern bluefin tuna. They are some of the most important
species not managed within the QMS.
Current legislation
prevents these species from being introduced to the QMS if
the total catch history of fishers exceeds 80% of the likely
total commercial catch limit. Amending legislation will be
required to introduce the species and enable
compensation.
Reducing fishers' catch history when
introducing the species to the QMS is necessary to enable
the Crown to meet its obligations to Maori under the Deed of
Settlement signed in 1992. The Deed provides that when a new
species is introduced into the QMS, 20% of the quota will be
allocated to Maori.
The previous Government held that no
compensation should be paid to fishers because of the
benefits they receive from introduction of a species into
the QMS. The allocation of Individual Transferable Quota
provides fishers with a secure transferable property right.
It is estimated that fishers will receive quota valued at
$45 million from the introduction of Fourth Schedule species
to the QMS.
“While this Government recognises the
benefits fishers will receive, it does not believe these
benefits will completely offset the loss of catch rights,"
Mr Hodgson said. "We have therefore agreed to pay fishers
50% of the current estimated full market value of quota the
Crown requires to meet its obligations to Maori in these
fisheries.”
"We believe this solution is both equitable
to fishers and fiscally responsible. It also removes a major
impediment to the Crown meeting its obligation to Maori, and
helps us ensure sustainable management of the Fourth
Schedule species by introducing them to the QMS. It also
fulfills a pre-election promise."
The amending
legislation will enable introduction of the South Island eel
fishery into the QMS on October 1. Introducing this fishery
is part of the Crown’s obligations to Ngai Tahu under the
1998 Deed of Settlement. Further Fourth Schedule species are
likely to be progressively brought into the QMS from October
1 2002.
The legislation will shortly be considered by
Parliament's Primary Production Committee, with an enactment
date of 1 July.
Contact: Graeme Speden (press secretary)
04 471 9707 or 025 270
9055