Hon Nathan Guy

Minister for Primary Industries

11 November 2016

Future of our Fisheries discussion document released

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is encouraging people to have their say on new proposals to modernise and future-proof New Zealand’s fisheries management system.

‘The Future of our Fisheries’ is a major programme of work to improve the sustainable benefits enjoyed by all New Zealanders,” says Mr Guy.

“Our fisheries management system has been recognised as one of the world’s best. However, we need to keep looking at ways to improve the system, especially as the Quota Management System (QMS) is now 30 years old and the Fisheries Act 20 years old.”

Three strategic proposals are outlined in the discussion document released today:

• Maximising Value from our Fisheries: including potential new rules on discarding, building our market position, and delivering value from new or underdeveloped fisheries.

• Better Fisheries Information: including the use of cameras and electronic monitoring on boats, research at finer geographic scales, and using externally commissioned research.

• Agile and Responsive Decision-Making: including more flexible decision making and a possible new National Fisheries Advisory Council.

There are also two proposed regulatory changes outlined. The first is to roll out the Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System (IERMS), which includes cameras, geospatial monitoring and electronic reporting. The second is to provide more flexibility for developing new trawl technologies.

“These are detailed documents with practical proposals to improve our fisheries. I encourage anyone with an interest in fisheries management to read it and have your say.

“A new Technical Advisory Group is also being formed to give expert, independent advice on these proposals. The members cover all sectors and are Sir Rob Fenwick as the Chair, along with Harry Burkhardt, Graeme Sinclair, Lesley Campbell and Graham Stuart.”

A review of fisheries management was first announced in August 2015 and initial engagement was held from October to December 2015, which included stakeholder and public meetings across New Zealand.

For the Future of our Fisheries programme, public consultation meetings including hui and workshops will be held over the next two months across the country. Submissions close Friday 23 December.

A full copy of the document and information on where public meetings will be held is available at http://mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations/future-of-our-fisheries.

Technical Advisory Group members

Sir Rob Fenwick (Chair) – Longstanding Environmentalist

Sir Rob Fenwick has dedicated his life to preserving the environment for current and future generations. The environmental entrepreneur founded Living Earth in 1994, the country’s first municipal composting business, diverting thousands of tonnes of organic waste from landfills. He also established the NZ Antarctica Research Institute in 2012, helped set up the Motutapu Island Restoration Trust, has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and conservation and was named as one of this year's inductees into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame. Mr Fenwick chairs the Predator Free NZ Trust and Kiwis for Kiwi, which aims to reverse the decline in kiwi numbers. He also chairs the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge and the Fred Hollows Foundation, and was founding chairman of Ngati Whatua’s radio station, Mai FM.

Harry Burkhardt – Customary Fishing Interests

Harry Burkhardt was one of Ngati Kuri's treaty negotiators which after 25 years signed a deed of settlement with the Crown in February 2014, making it the fourth iwi of Muriwhenua to have reached such an agreement. Harry is a recipient of the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori. Mr Burkhardt is also a member of the Investment Advisory Panel for Primary Growth Partnerships, an executive member of the Packaging Council and a trustee on the A+ Trust. He has extensive governance experience, appointed a board member on the Auckland District Health Board from 2003 to 2010, chaired the Audit Risk and Finance Committee from 2004 to 2007 and also chaired the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Health Clinic from 2010 to 2014.

Graeme Sinclair – Recreational Fishing Interests

As Managing Director of Frontier Television (NZ) Ltd, Graeme Sinclair continues to produce the popular TV series Gone Fishin, which is now in its 23rd year on television. He has spent most of his formative years involved in outdoor pursuits both recreationally and professionally; fishing; hunting; as a white water rafting guide; diving instructor; and skiing to name just a few activities. He also developed and ran outdoor management and team building courses. Mr Sinclair is in a wheelchair after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and continues to be active in recreational outdoor pursuits.

Lesley Campbell – QMS Administration

Lesley Campbell has over 20 years’ experience working in the commercial seafood sector and in particular the administration of the Quota Management System. She has been the Chief Executive of FishServe since it began providing operational services in 1999. Prior to her role as Chief Executive, she was a member of the senior management team of the Ministry of Fisheries, and was a leader in strategic development and implementation of the legislation, organisation, and systems changes associated with the Fisheries Act 1996 and the establishment of FishServe.

Graham Stuart – Primary Sector Business

With over 30 years of senior management experience, Mr Stuart has held leadership roles with several major corporates, in New Zealand and overseas, the latest being the Sealord Group of which he was Chief Executive Officer for seven years. He served in a number of management roles in Fonterra and as the Commercial Director of the NZ Dairy Board. He has vast international business experience, for example, while working for Lion Nathan he was based in Shanghai to assist with company’s set up in China, and also acted in roles including Chief Information Officer and Managing Director International. He served as the Chair of the Lincoln Research Hub Establishment Board.

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