Tena Koutou,

 MINISTRY OF FISHERIES SUSTAINABILITY ROUNDS FOR OCTOBER STOCKS

 The Ministry is currently consulting on Sustainability Measures and Other Management Controls for the 2006-07 fishing year. Submissions close on 31 July 2006.  A summary of key issues and Te Ohu's likely responses are provided below:

 General issues

Shelving of ACE: Shelving is a tool used by industry to reduce catch effort without changing the total allowable catch (TACC). It is also a tool that can be used to halt the decline of a fishery and to regulate the rate in which the fishery is able to rebuild.

 Te Ohu rejects MFish's interpretation of s13 of the FA - that shelving can only be used for accelerating the rate of rebuild. The Seafood Industry Council will be covering this issue in their submission.

 Te Ohu supports shelving as a corrective measure where: (a) it is short term - say 3-5 years, (b) there is significant industry support, and (c) where industry has in place a management regime that allows an appropriate response to sustainability issues that may arise during the term of rebuild.

 Managing stocks above Bmsy: Recreational interests have been advocating the management of some stocks above Bmsy (the maximum sustainable yield). Te Ohu encourages MFish to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders where proposals are considered. Management issues will vary depending on the stocks covered. Problems need to be identified before choosing from the full range of tools.

 Allocation of TAC: Te Ohu will be consulting with iwi separately on this issue as part of the overall shared fisheries reforms.

 Adjustments to TACs

 Orange Roughy (ORH1): MFish propose three options, each requiring a reduction in TACC. The most extreme of the options could result in the loss of income to fishers in the vicinity of $2.3m. Te Ohu's initial view is to support option one of MFish's proposals which will allow more time for the available information to be audited, for further information to be collected, and another opportunity for industry to demonstrate that effective governance under the AMP can be achieved. All iwi have commercial interests in ORH1.

 Orange Roughy (ORH 3B): Te Ohu supports an industry proposal to reduce the voluntary catch limits for the sub-stocks in Northwest Chatham Rise, and sub stocks within the East Chatham Rise. Industry will withdraw fishing effort from the Arrow Plateau. All iwi have interests in ORH3B. 

 PAUA (PAU5A):  Te Ohu is opposed to all MFish options. The Ministry is proposing a massive reduction in the PAU5A fishery that may see $30m wiped off the capital value of the PAU5A fishery. 

 Te Ohu is supportive of an industry harvest strategy that will spread catch away from the south coast. We also support a paua reseeding programme, an increase in the MLS, and shelving as a mechanism to reduce catch effort. All iwi have commercial interests in PAU5A  through AFL. 

 Rig (SPO7): Te Ohu is opposed to all of the MFish proposals. Our stance is to mange the fishery through the approved Fisheries Management Plan and to reduce effort via formal shelving and a spatial closure in the area of Farewell Spit. Industry will continue to review CPUE (catch per unit effort) data on an annual basis to ensure stocks are appropriately responsive to corrective actions. The main iwi interests in SPO7 are held by Te Tau Ihu iwi and Ngai Tahu. 

 Alfonsino (BYK1): Te Ohu supports the industry proposal to increase the current TACC for BYX 1 to 600t under the conditions of the AMP (adaptive management programme), and for the AMP to continue for the next 5 years ending September 2011. All iwi have interests in Alfonsino.

 If you would like to view the IPP please go to  http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/RSMCC-2006-07/default.htm?WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished 

 Te Ohu  expect to have a submission  ready for distribution later this week. In the ,meantime please contact me if you have any issues you would like us to discuss or raise.