Minister’s decisions a mixed bag, says Seafood Industry

Press release by NZ Seafood Industry Council, 25 September 2007

The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council sees the changes as a ‘mixed bag' says New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Acting Chief Executive Alastair Macfarlane in response to Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton's announced sustainability measures and other management controls for the new fishing year, which begins on 1 October 2007.

"It's a mixed bag for industry - we're pleased to see that the Minister's decisions reflect changes to Deemed Values. Fishing against Deemed Values is not condoned by the wider seafood industry," Mr Macfarlane said.

"We have pursued changes to Deemed Value setting for some fisheries for some time and we're pleased that the Minister has decided to address the issue."

However, industry is going to be disappointed in some areas and the actual impacts of these decisions have yet to be determined, he said. 

"Industry recognized that cuts in some fisheries were necessary. For example the Hoki fishery is one where some industry submissions went further than the Minister has. And we will continue to support sound, science-based decisions that ensure sustainability."

However some of the TACC cut decisions were not supported by the science and will have significant economic impacts for the industry, fishermen and the companies who fish those quotas, Mr Macfarlane said. For example in the cases of flatfish and red cod in the South Island which can vary from year to year, cutting the TACC now could have severe impacts in the future when those fishery stocks expand for natural reasons, as they inevitably will.

"Affected quota owners and companies and the industry will be looking at these decisions in more detail."

If you would like more information please contact:
Sarah Crysell
Communications Manager
NZ Seafood Industry Council
Ph: 04 802 1506 or 027 231 7914