Some Key Labour Fisheries Priorities

Industry Development

• Working with industry to ensure continued growth and innovation in the seafood sector and improving its sustainable economic performance, with emphasis on value-added processing for the benefit of New Zealanders.

• Reducing industry compliance costs by revoking unnecessary fisheries regulations.

• Working with stakeholders to make fisheries management processes more efficient and effective, including fisheries research and stock assessment, cost recovery rules, the setting and use of deemed values, and the operation of the annual catch entitlement market.

Recreational

• Enhancing the quality of recreational fishing, including where appropriate, managing some recreational species above, or significantly above, MSY (the level of fish stock that will allow maximum catch without compromising sustainability).

Customary

• Implementing the Maori customary fishing regulations, and facilitating the development of taiapure and mataitai reserves.

• Building upon the appointment of relationship managers (Pou Hononga) and extension officers, to assist hapu and iwi in undertaking their role in fisheries management.

Environmental Protection

• Adopting a more comprehensive and pro-active approach to managing the environmental effects of fishing and doing so on an ecosystem basis.

• Enhancing marine biodiversity protection through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

• Requiring sustained reductions in fisheries bycatch of marine mammals and seabirds, including using mandatory targets and mitigation measures.

International

• Combating destructive fishing practices and illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU) fishing in high seas and shared fisheries through a range of initiatives agreed with other nations.

Compliance

• Focusing on stopping the illegal harvest and trade of fish species, particularly paua and rock lobster, including through multi-agency initiatives.

• Continuing to raise public awareness of the social, cultural and economic value of our fisheries.

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