Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act to ensure New Zealand continues to meet its international fisheries obligations

Background to this consultation

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought your feedback on legislative proposals to improve the delivery of New Zealand's international fisheries management and compliance obligations through the Fisheries Act 1996.

New Zealand's high seas fishing regime is set out in Part 6A of the Act. Part 6A:

• implements the 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement
• implements the 1993 FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Compliance Agreement
• provides the framework for implementing conservation and management measures approved by regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).

Part 6A of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

What was proposed?

MPI wanted feedback on a range of proposals, including:

• tightening and clarifying the rules for authorising and revoking fishing permits on the high seas
• strengthening the monitoring of New Zealand vessels fishing in other states' waters
• clarifying and strengthening penalties for New Zealand vessels breaking international conventions, including making it an offence to engage in activities prohibited under international commitments, including operating or supporting listed illegal fishing vessels
• allowing for foreign flagged vessels suspected of illegal fishing on the high seas to be detained in New Zealand ports to enable inspection.

Full details of the proposed changes were in the consultation document.

Media release: MPI seeks feedback on changes to high seas fishing rules

Consultation document

Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act to ensure New Zealand continues to meet its international fisheries obligations [PDF, 1.1 MB]  

Related document

Review of the Fisheries Act 1996 against New Zealand's International Obligations and Related Market Requirements [PDF, 2.1 MB]

Submissions are public information

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