Proposed changes to consultation

The former Minister of Fisheries Hon David Benson-Pope formed the Amateur Fishing Ministerial Advisory Committee (AFMAC) in July 2005 to act as a vehicle for providing him independent advice about strategic recreational fishing matters.

I am now considering changing AFMAC to formalise the ability for me to call in specialist teams to address specific but far reaching recreational fishing issues. I think this will work better for me, and for reccies than having general discussion without specific outcomes.

Ministry of Fisheries Engagement

Obviously I can't meet everyone so the Ministry has also changed the way it works and engages to better reflect the government's priorities.

There is a new approach to regional forums designed to make the best use of your time in a focused and cost effective way.I encourage you to participate in the forums as a means of establishing your regional and national priorities, and helping us work towards implementing them.

Streamlining of the engagement process needs to go hand in hand with good access to and input into decision-making processes - and I hope that's what you will experience.

Fisheries plans

Fisheries management and fisheries plans are central to Fisheries 2030, which is why they'll also take centre stage at your forum meetings.In short, fisheries plans describe what we want our fisheries to look like and how we want them to be managed.

A new approach to fisheries plans is already up and running in Deepwater fisheries and will be across all fisheries by the middle of next year.The old approach to fisheries plans was too resource-intensive and was taking too long to deliver. Faster results and fewer demands on stakeholders are the order of the day.

The new approach will establish just five national fisheries plans - there were about 27 in the past - one each for Deepwater, Highly Migratory Species, Inshore Finfish, Inshore Shellfish and Freshwater fisheries.I acknowledge that the biggest change from the previous approach to fisheries plans will be in inshore fisheries, where you have a particular interest.

Your contribution via the new regional forum process will be very welcome.

Phil Heatley.