Report sets out a vision for commercial fishing by 2040
In March 2021, the Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor published The Future of Commercial Fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The report set out a vision for commercial fishing by 2040 of a fishing sector that is innovative and technology driven, with highly selective fishing practices and minimal environmental impacts, underpinned by data, and agile and responsive regulation.
The report calls for immediate evidence-based action and taking first steps towards longer term recommendations.
The Government's response to the report
In August 2022, Fisheries New Zealand released the Government's response to the report. It sets out the actions that will be taken. In line with the report, the actions will be done in phases. The response progresses early actions that deliver change within the existing regulatory system while signalling the long-term investment required for other recommendations.
The Future of Commercial Fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand – Government response [PDF, 941 KB]
Actions already underway, include:
- establishment of the Oceans and Fisheries Portfolio, a ministers' group, and the Oceans Secretariat to support a more coordinated approach in the marine environment
- developing an industry transformation plan for the fishing sector to drive environmental performance and increase value in the sector
- developing guidance and information for decision makers to define and protect habitats of particular significance for fisheries management
- improving the accessibility and transparency of key fisheries information online.
Cabinet paper and minute [PDF, 847 KB]
Briefing paper [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Cabinet will consider progress by July 2024
As the actions set out in the response will take place over a number of years and the report's vision is for outcomes by 2040, the Government will consider progress on the implementation of the response in 2024. This will provide an opportunity to reset, if needed, the pace and scope of actions to be undertaken from 2025.
