Geelong Revisited: From ESD to EBFM – Future Directions for Fisheries Management: The New Zealand Experience Melbourne, 21& 22 May, 2008 Jonathan Peacey New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries

ESD but not by that name! No explicit focus on ESD; but legislation and policies deliver key elements of ESD Moving to Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Environmental standards and objectives-based fisheries plans Ongoing management of specific environmental impacts Increasing environmental research Societal views changing rapidly

Fisheries Act 1996 o Purpose: Provide for utilisation while ensuring sustainability o Environmental principles:  Associated & Dependent Species  Maintain Biological diversity  Habitat of importance o Information principles (precautionary approach – but not quite!) o Requirement to manage most fish stocks at or above B MSY Marine Reserves Act 1971 Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 Wildlife Act 1953 Legislation

MFish Statement of Intent o Overall Outcome: Maximise the value New Zealanders obtain from the sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources and protection of the aquatic environment o Contributing Outcomes:  Aquatic environment protected  Best value able to be realised  Credible fisheries management Biodiversity Strategy 2000 Marine Protected Area Strategy Fisheries Environmental Strategy Comprehensive Oceans Policy attempted; deferred Policies

Environmental Strategy Assess all environmental effects of fishing; don’t just respond Environmental standards define acceptable limits of fishing effects Social values to be incorporated in standard setting Flexibility in how standards are achieved Fishery managers to demonstrate fishery meets relevant standards

Standards and Operational Guidelines To be released soon: Benthic Impacts To be released later: Environmental Impact Assessment Other marine mammals Reporting Allocation Risk analysis Input and participation of tangata whenua Governance and representation Purchase Service Delivery Consultation Completed: Harvest Strategy (TAC-setting) Seabirds Hectors/Maui Dolphins Approved: Deemed values Management of Non-QMS species Consultation Sealions Until the Fisheries Act is amended, standards are only policies that guide advice to the decision-maker (Minister or Chief Executive)

Objectives-Based Management Overall Outcome: Maximise the value New Zealanders obtain from the sustainable use of fisheries resources and protection of the aquatic environment Contributing outcomes Standards Legislation Policy International obligations Fisheries Plans Stakeholder Goals Objectives Management measures Services

Fisheries Plans Deepwater fisheries Inshore finfish (7 plans) Shellfish/Seaweed (11 plans) Freshwater eels (2 plans) Other freshwater fisheries National Plans: oSeabird NPOA oShark NPOA oBenthic habitat

Ongoing Environmental Initiatives Codes of Practice & Regulations covering trawl & longline vessels & marine mammals & seabirds Benthic Protection: o 31 Marine Reserves (7.6% TS) o Benthic Protection Areas (32% of EEZ; 52% seamounts; 88% hydrothermal vents) o Fisheries Act closures; Cable zones Certification: o Hoki fishery MSC certified since 2001 o 3 other fisheries under assessment o Environmental certification fund 2008

Research Total fisheries research: $40 M MFish research: $ 20 M DoC: impacts of fishing: $1.8 M FRST aquatic env research: $15 M Industry research: $1.5 M Some research cost recovered