Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

FISHERIES
Our vision
Labour understands our fisheries are very important to New Zealanders economically,
socially, culturally and environmentally. New Zealand has the fourth largest Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world, and fishing is a major activity within it. The commercial
seafood industry, including aquaculture, is New Zealand‟s fifth largest export earner.
Labour‟s fisheries policy aims to balance the competing priorities of commercial,
recreational, and customary users, and to add sustainable value to our fisheries, while also
providing for improved environmental performance.
Labour will continue to encourage growth and innovation within our fishing industry, and to
ensure fair and sustainable access to our fisheries resources for all. We will encourage all
New Zealanders to work together to protect our fisheries for future generations.
During its last term in office Labour:
● Substantially completed the introduction of commercially important aquatic species to
the Quota Management System, and extended coverage of the Quota Management
System to highly migratory species such as tuna beyond New Zealand waters.
● Established a recreational fishing ministerial advisory panel to advise on strategic
issues affecting recreational fishers, and set up a network of regional recreational
fishing forums to provide recreational fishers with knowledge of and input into fisheries
management processes.
● Enacted the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 and settled Māori commercial aquaculture
interests, providing the platform for allocation to iwi of fisheries and aquaculture
assets.
● Focused on stopping the illegal harvest and trade (especially export) of high value
species such as paua and rock lobster, including the creation of a covert special
tactics team within fisheries compliance.
● Facilitated the development of the aquaculture industry strategy Our Blue Horizons,
and invested in innovation to develop value added seafood and marine products
through „New Zealand Fast Forward‟ and other initiatives.
● Stepped up initiatives to combat destructive fishing practices and illegal, unregulated
or unreported (IUU) fishing in high seas and shared fisheries.
● Began implementing the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Policy, which provides for
enhanced marine biodiversity protection.
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