New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is releasing Initial Position Papers for a range of fish stocks which outline proposed changes to sustainability measures and management controls for the 1 October 2013 fishing year.

New Zealand has launched review of fish stocks. Credit: Emily Walker/CC BY-SA 2.0

New Zealand has launched review of fish stocks. Credit: Emily Walker/CC BY-SA 2.0

The fish stocks include bluenose, kingfish, snapper, leatherjacket, oyster, sea perch, scampi, hoki, ling and orange roughy.

James Stevenson-Wallace, Director Fisheries Management, MPI says the Ministry recognises that New Zealand’s fish stocks are a valuable resource and is committed to sustainable fisheries.

“The review of fish stocks is an important annual process that considers catch limits and other management controls. The review is all about both increasing the productivity of the fisheries and ensuring their long-term sustainability. A range of management options are presented for each fish stock and MPI is interested to hear public views on these proposals. I encourage stakeholders and tangata whenua to engage in the consultation process.”

The consultation periods for fish stocks, excluding snapper and bluenose will start Friday 12 July and close at 4pm on Friday 9 August. Snapper and bluenose fish stocks have slightly longer consultation periods and will close at 4pm on 23 August 2013.

Copies of the Initial Position Papers (IPPs) and information on the process for consultation can be found here.