Inshore Finfish Stocks: TAC and TACC Sustainability Decisions Announced

Hon Nathan Guy announced today the following increases in five inshore fishstocks for the 2015/16 fishing year:

Fisheries Inshore welcomes the increase in catch limits for the five inshore stocks.

“The Minister is not only reconfirming his confidence in the monitoring and robust data that underpins his decision making but he is also recognising the abundance of these fisheries and enabling increased utilisation” said Dr Helson.

Based on the 2015/16 port prices, these increases will collectively generate $536,050 in revenue for the industry.

While the Quota Management System provides the basis for harvesting in a sustainable manner there is a need to have a more responsive fisheries management and a dynamic system whereby a greater number of stocks are adjusted more regularly especially as the ministry’s approach continues to be conservative.

Dr Helson says the priority for FINZ is ensuring accurate information on inshore stocks is collected and, through collaboration with quota owners and the Ministry, FINZ are continuing work to ensure well specified and effective fisheries management plans are in place. This will allow for greater certainty about both monitoring and subsequent management and provide for more efficient and responsive decision making.

Fisheries Inshore looks forward to continuing to work with quota owners, CSOs and the Ministry to specify better management approaches and provide the information required to ensure more efficient management of our fisheries.