What are they?

Fisheries Plans can be established under section 11A of the Fisheries Act. The plans can apply to one or more fish stocks or areas, or any such combination.

Fisheries plans can included:

1. Fisheries management objectives to support the purpose and principles of the Act:
2. Strategies to achieve fisheries management objectives, which may include—

1. Sustainability measures set or varied under any of sections 11, 13, 14, and 15:
2. Rules to manage the interaction between different fisheries sectors:

3. Performance criteria to measure the achievement of the objectives and strategies:
4. Conservation services or fisheries services:
5. Contingency strategies to deal with foreseeable variations in circumstances.

There are currently no Ministry of Fisheries plans in force but one industry proposed plan for rig in the Challenger area (Nelson, Golden Bay and West Coast South Island) has been approved by the Minister. The Ministry of Fisheries are currently working on three fish plans – southern blue whiting (all stocks), Foveaux Strait oysters and Coromandel scallops.

What role do fisheries plans have in marine and coastal management?

What does it mean for me?

Before approving, amending or revoking a fisheries plans the Minister must apply the consultation provisions under section 12. These provisions require the Minister to:

1. Consult with such persons or organisations as the Minister considers are representative of those classes of persons having an interest in the stock or the effects of fishing on the aquatic environment in the area concerned, including Maori, environmental, commercial, and recreational interests; and
2. Provide for the input and participation of tangata whenua having—

1. A non-commercial interest in the stock concerned; or
2. An interest in the effects of fishing on the aquatic environment in the area concerned—
   and have particular regard to Kaitiakitanga.

These provisions do not allow general public submissions but allow submissions from representative groups and individuals.

Relevant legislation

Web based resources

Key references

Regular publications: