Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Promoting a successful, sustainable industry
We share with the industry the goal of further developing New Zealand's economy, with
sustainable management of fisheries catchments and growing investment in processing in
New Zealand bringing high value jobs. To achieve this vision, Labour will strike a fair
balance between industry cooperation and effective regulatory oversight.
In order to help promote a successful fishing industry, we will provide leadership in the areas
of fisheries management, enforcement and promoting relevant research.
Labour will provide that leadership by developing a more co-operative relationship
with commercial and recreational fishers, tangata whenua and other stakeholders.
We will facilitate self-management where appropriate and regulate where necessary.
Marine research is essential to better understand the marine environment and humaninduced
impacts on it and provide sound information to underpin the sustainable
management of fish stocks and the marine environment.
Marine research will also help to promote innovation and growth in the industry.
Labour will maintain and increase investment in marine research.
Labour will promote innovation in the seafood industry by working alongside industry
groups such as Aquaculture New Zealand.
Labour will champion sustainable fisheries by:
● Adopting a comprehensive and pro-active approach to managing the
environmental effects of fishing, and do so on an ecosystem basis
● Ensuring that the Fisheries Act makes it clear that sustaining non-harvest
uses and values of fish must be part of fisheries management
● Supporting the honorary fisheries officer network
● Supporting the Ministry of Fisheries‟ advocacy under the Resource
Management Act 1991 to protect inshore fisheries threatened by
sedimentation and pollution from the land.
Recreational fishing
Enjoying the great outdoors is a quintessential Kiwi pastime, and fishing has long been one
of our most popular outdoor recreation pursuits. It is important that we continue to facilitate
recreational fishing, and one way of doing that is by improving information on the nature and
extent of recreational fishers‟ engagement in significant recreational fisheries.
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