Minister's decisions
Consultation has closed and the Minister for Primary Industries has made decisions on sustainability measures for selected fishstocks for the 2015-16 fishing year beginning 1 October 2015. This includes decisions relating to total allowable catches (TACs), non-commercial allowances, total allowable commercial catches (TACCs), and deemed value rates.
The Minister's decision letter provides the details of, and reasons for, each of his decisions. Download the:
- Minister's decision letter [PDF, 2.4 MB]
- Decision document - Review of Sustainability Controls for 1 October 2015 [PDF, 1.9 MB]
- Submissions [PDF, 7.8 MB]
In summary, the Minister has decided to:
| Area | Decision summary |
|---|---|
| New Zealand hoki (HOK 1) |
Reduce the TAC from 161,640 tonnes to 151,540 tonnes, set the TACC at 150,000 tonnes, and set allowances for customary Māori of 20 tonnes, recreational of 20 tonnes, and other sources of fishing-related mortality of 1,500 tonnes. The industry remain committed to the catch split arrangement, and have agreed that the reduction will apply only to the western stock, reducing the western stock catch limit from 100,000 tonnes to 90,000 tonnes. The eastern stock catch limit will remain at 60,000 tonnes. |
| Chatham rise oreo (OEO 4) |
Reduce the TAC from 7,000 tonnes to 3,150 tonnes, set the TACC at 3,000 tonnes, maintain nil allowances for customary Māori and recreational, and set an allowance for other sources of fishing-related mortality of 150 tonnes. |
| East coast South Island red gurnard (GUR 3) | Increase the TAC from 1,163 tonnes to 1,290 tonnes, set allowances for customary Māori of 3 tonnes and recreational of 6 tonnes, set the TACC at 1,220 tonnes, and an allowance for other sources of fishing-related mortality of 61 tonnes. |
| West coast South Island red gurnard (GUR 7) | Increase the TAC from 855 tonnes to 919 tonnes, set allowances for customary Māori of 10 tonnes, recreational of 22 tonnes, the TACC at 845 tonnes, and an allowance for other sources of fishing-related mortality of 42 tonnes. |
| East coast North Island rig (SPO 2) | No change to TAC, allowances, or TACC. |
| West coast South Island rig (SPO 7) | Increase the TAC from 270 tonnes to 306 tonnes, set allowances for customary Māori of 15 tonnes and recreational of 33 tonnes, the TACC at 246 tonnes, and an allowance for other sources of fishing-related mortality of 12 tonnes. |
| West coast South Island stargazer (STA 7) | Increase the TAC from 1,072 tonnes to 1,181 tonnes, set allowances for customary Māori of 1 tonne and recreational of 4 tonnes, the TACC at 1,122 tonnes, and an allowance for other sources of fishing-related mortality of 54 tonnes. |
|
Multiple
|
Increase interim deemed values for all listed stocks. In addition, annual deemed values have been increased for GMU 1 and differential deemed values have been increased for RIB 8. |
Background to consultation
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought feedback from tangata whenua and stakeholders on proposed changes to the sustainability measures and management controls for selected fishstocks.
MPI also took this opportunity to consult on a change to the conversion factor for kingfish processed to the dressed state.
Consultation ran from Wednesday 17 June 2015 until Friday 17 July 2015.
Proposals
The process of reviewing catch limits and other management controls for selected stocks is undertaken annually. This is consistent with the requirement that MPI ensure sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources.
The proposals were assessed in the context of the relevant statutory requirements and the best available information, including (where relevant) the latest scientific information on the status of the stocks and tangata whenua and stakeholder input.
Proposed amendments to multiple management settings for:
Hoki (HOK1) [PDF, 319 KB]
Smooth oreo (OEO 4) [PDF, 180 KB]
Review of sustainability contols for selected inshore finfish stocks [PDF, 1.4 MB] including:
- Red gurnard (GUR 3, GUR 7)
- Stargazer (STA 7)
- Rig (SPO 2, SPO 7)
Proposed amendments to deemed value rates only [PDF, 235 KB] including:
- Frostfish (FRO 8, FRO 9)
- Grey mullet (GMU 1)
- Kingfish (KIN 7, KIN 8)
- Lookdown dory (LDO 1)
- Pilchard (PIL 8)
- Redbait (RBT 3)
- Rubyfish (RBY 7)
- Ribaldo (RIB 4, RIB 8)
- Red snapper (RSH 2)
Proposed amendment to conversion factor for:
Kingfish (All) [PDF, 178 KB]
Consultation on the proposed changes to sustainability measures and management controls closed on 17 July 2015.
Submissions are public information
Note, that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information is commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.
