National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species
July 2017
Introduction
On July 4th 2017 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) issued a discussion paper – National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species. MPI asked for submissions, deadline is 4 August.
Submission
On August 4th the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted a response in support of the Fisheries Plan, some of its objectives and highlighting the need to keep the recreational-only status of marlin.
An issue that remains unresolved is the potential conflict between game fishers and purse seiners around access to schools of skipjack tuna. NZSFC urge MPI to work with everyone to try and find a solution.
We are also concerned about the amount of small forage fish being removed by purse seine vessels in the Bay of Plenty and East Northland. We don’t fully understand how this fishing affects feeding patterns and distribution of HMS, and the unknown effects on seabirds, their young and survival rates.
We submit – Important forage species must not be depleted by commercial fishing.
Relevant information
What follows is a summary of relevant, available documents. Latest documents are at the top of the list.
Click on the right hand image to download the document or follow the link to read more details.
NZSFC submission. HMS Fisheries Plan. 4 August 2017
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submission supporting the revision of the National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species. The National Plan is 7 years old and due for updating. The NZSFC continues to attend the planning meetings an contributing to the development of management measures to protect and enhance HMS fisheries in and around New Zealand.
MPI discussion document. HMS Fisheries Plan. 4 July 2017
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is consulting on a revision of the National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). The Fisheries Plan includes a range of objectives. Of particular interest to the NZSFC are the objectives to support profitable commercial tuna fisheries, maintaining world class game fisheries for recreational interests and taking a broader environmental approach to managing fish stocks, especially small, forage species and impacts of fishing on seabirds.