What are the alternatives to trawling?

Alternatives to trawling include long lining and trapping. While these alternative methods may be more time consuming they generally deliver better quality fish which ought to attract a higher value return.

Why don’t we know recovery rates after no trawling?

It is unknown how long it would take for an area to recover from trawling because no one in New Zealand has deliberately stopped trawling and supported a research project on recovery rates.

Why do you say that Māori only own around 10.7% of the total quota share value when they actually own more than 40% of all quota?

Independent analysis by the NZ Institute of Economic Research shows that on the information available Māori own around 40% of quota shares (by volume) but only 10.7% of the total quota share value. This is a conservative estimate of iwi ownership and value because not all the relevant details are available; that is understandable given the commercial sensitivity of the information. For Rescue Fish to succeed it was important to work out what a fair exchange might be for those shares if they were bought out by the government. More here on pages 23-26.

How many Māori customary fishing areas are there?

There are 11 Mātaitai in the North Island and 35 in the South Island. 10 Taiāpure have been established nationally.

How much fish does the commercial sector take each year?

Commercial fishers land around 400,000 tonnes of fish per annum. In the fishing year from October 1st 2017 to 31st September 2018 commercial fishers landed just over 405,000 tonnes of fish.

How much fish do Maori customary fishers take each year ?

The total amount of fish harvested by Māori customary fishers is unknown. The Minister of Fisheries has a legal obligation to make provision for Māori customary catch and traditional practices. The total amount of fish set aside to enable Māori fishers to fulfil their customary needs is around 4000 tonnes per annum, nationwide.

How much fish do recreational fishers take each year?

Recreational fishers harvest around 10,000 tonnes of finfish and shellfish nationwide every year. In shared fisheries targeted by commercial and non-commercial fishers, recreational harvest is estimated to be around 19% of all catch. Shared fisheries tend to be inshore species that more accessible to the public.

Why is recreational fishing important to New Zealanders?

Fishing is a way of life for many Kiwis. It contributes to the mental well-being of individuals, families and communities. It provides for social occasions that enhance the bonds between individuals, their families and community. Recreational fishing also provides educational opportunities as a teaching space for safety on the water, weather awareness, food gathering, cooking, conservation and a host of other skills associated with fishing.

In April 2020 a Horizon Research survey found that over 400,000 adult New Zealanders intended to participate in land-based sea fishing in the 12 months after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Almost 300,000 said they would fish because they needed the food.

Will commercial fishers benefit from Rescue Fish?

Yes. Rescue Fish is designed to make commercial fishing profitable for the fishermen and women. New legislation will require commercial fishing to operate in a more environmentally conscious way. Innovation will be encouraged as fishers earn higher returns for their efforts. The principles outlined in the Rescue Fish policy will increase abundance, improve efficiency, reduce waste and facilitate artisanal commercial fishing.

The country, as well as commercial fishers, will benefit. The development of small scale commercial fishing in the regions will be priority to provide for local enterprise, more job opportunities and better returns for fishermen.

How will Rescue Fish affect commercial fishers?

Rescue Fish will be a radical change for commercial fishers because the Quota Management System will be dismantled and a new regime will apply. Initially Rescue Fish will apply to inshore fisheries. Rescue Fish policy.

There will be no quota ownership. Time limited fishing permits will need to be purchased from the Crown. Only people fishing will be entitled to have a fishing permit, there will be no absentee ownership. Effort limits and gear controls will be conditions on the fishing permit. Where appropriate, access to fish will be leased in multi-species packets, in recognition of the mixed finfish fisheries in inshore waters. A resource rental fee payable to the Crown will apply to every kilo of landed catch.

The fisher or their catch will no longer be bound to quota holders or particular processing sheds, commercial fishers will be able to sell their catch to any outlet or direct to the public. This will enable commercial fishers to earn maximum returns for their efforts. It will also encourage them to innovate and use eco-friendly methods that capture fish in quality condition. More benefits here.