The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) has developed a revised Harvest Strategy Standard. The proposed standard is designed to apply to all of fishstocks in the Quota Management System (QMS). A Standard represents the minimum performance level determined by Government to be acceptable.

Standards do not have the force of law unless they are implemented by regulations under the Fisheries Act 1996. Currently there are no provisions in the Fisheries Act for standards or policies to be implemented in contrast to the provisions in, for example, the Resource Management Act or the Conservation Act.

The draft Standard requires that target and limit biological reference points are set for all QMS fishstocks but is flexible about the means by which this is achieved. The MFish proposal is to make best use of available information for each individual stock.

This is the second consultation on the Harvest Strategy Standard. The first draft was released in November 2006 (see Fisheries Standards consultation). As a result of feedback from stakeholders and further work, MFish has revised the initial standard.

The proposed Harvest Strategy Standard consists of three core components:

• A specified target about which a fishery or stock should fluctuate;
• A soft limit that triggers a requirement for a formal, time-constrained rebuilding plan; and
• A hard limit below which fisheries should be considered for closure.

Information on using the draft Harvest Strategy Standard is contained in proposed Operational Guidelines. These draft Guidelines are designed to be a 'living' companion document that will assist fisheries scientists, managers and stakeholders using the proposed Harvest Strategy Standard.

The draft guidelines document contains two sets of guidelines, plus a total of nine appendices containing relevant information. The technical guidelines include methods that can be used to estimate target and limit biological reference points. The implementation guidelines specify the respective roles and responsibilities of fisheries managers and scientists in giving effect to the Standard. The Operational Guidelines do not have the status of a Standard, but are designed to assist those using the Harvest Strategy Standard.

MFish are proposing the standard to provide greater consistency and transparency in the management of New Zealand's fisheries. The Ministry is hoping that such an approach will increase the likelihood of more New Zealand fisheries being able to be certified as environmentally sustainable.

For copies of documents:

• Download Harvest Strategy Standard (PDF 419KB)
• Download Operational Guidelines (PDF 717KB)

An Annotated Literature Review used to inform the Harvest Strategy Standard will be available later in January 2007.

If you would like a paper copy of these documents contact Tracey Steel at MFish (see contact details below).

The Harvest Strategy Standard consultation closes on 29 February 2008. Send submissions to: Tracey Steel, c/- Ministry of Fisheries, P O Box 1020, Wellington or email to: