In conjunction with the Ministry of Fisheries, we wanted to change the approved 2010/2011 Conservation Services Annual Plan – but we wanted to make sure you were okay with it first.
Submissions closed Wednesday 20 April 2011
The data sought from the inshore observer component of the 2010/2011 annual plan can be gathered in fewer days than initially thought, so we propose 170 fewer coverage days than approved in the original plan.
We also propose to focus these days on trialling mitigation techniques and devices.
The specific fisheries affected are:
- Fishery Management Areas 1 and 2 trawl fishery. These days will focus on mitigation techniques and devices. The techniques or devices to be evaluated will be determined by a technical advisory group which will ensure that trials are robust;
- Fishery Management Areas 1 and 2 bottom long line fishery. Under the proposal, these days will be provided in conjunction with an electronic monitoring project;
- Chatham Rise. These days will be provided by an observer who is onboard a vessel fishing the Chatham Rise who is providing fishery services. The observer will be able to provide both services while on board resulting in no loss of data, but cost savings.
The following table outlines the proposed changes to coverage days:
|
Objectives |
2010/2011
Number of days in the approved plan
|
2010/2011
Number of days in the amended plan |
|
Gather information to establish whether trawl fishing in Te Waewae Bay during the summer poses a risk of capture to the South Coast South Island population of Hector’s dolphins. |
120 |
120 |
|
Gather information to establish the effectiveness of alternative mitigation measures in reducing the extent of captures of seabirds in the trawl fishery of the East Coast South Island. |
120 |
120 |
|
Gather information to establish whether trawl fishing in Fishery Management Areas 1 and 2 poses a risk of capture to seabirds and marine mammals. |
300 |
200 |
|
Gather information to establish the extent of residual risk of seabird capture in bottom longline fisheries around the Chatham Islands. |
100 |
[100*] |
|
Gather information to establish the effectiveness of alternative mitigation measures (including current regulated measures) in reducing extent of captures of seabirds in high-risk bottom longline fisheries in Fishery Management Areas 1 and 2. |
270 |
200 |
|
Gather information to establish whether trawl fishing in Statistical Area 038 poses a risk of capture to seabirds and marine mammals. |
100 |
100 |
|
Monitor interactions between set net fishing and Hector’s dolphins in area of the east coast South Island where significant interactions have been observed in the past. |
200 |
200 |
| Total Days |
1210 |
1040 |
* The information required to meet this objective would still be gathered through existing, and previously levied, observer coverage deployed in this area for a different research project. Therefore, the number of days of coverage required is not counted as part of the amended plan given that the industry would not be levied separately for them.
The Minister of Conservation approved the 2010/2011 Conservation Services Annual Research Plan in July 2010.
The plan includes inshore observer coverage, which aims to understand the interaction between commercial fishing and protected species and to evaluate techniques or devices designed to mitigate those interactions.
Because the original research plan was released for public comment, it is appropriate that the proposed changes, outlined above, also be released for comment.
Submissions are now closed.
A report will be made to the Minister of Conservation, summarising and responding to the public comments received. Based on these comments, and DOC's analysis, a recommendation will be made to the Minister to either:
- approve the proposed plan amendment;
- not approve the plan amendment; or
- partially approve the proposed plan amendment
Everyone who submits feedback will receive notification of the outcome. It will also be published in the Conservation Services Programme section of this website.
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