The Labor government is stepping up its focus on the health of New Zealand’s oceans, marine life and fisheries to address threats on land and at sea.

The government has adopted a vision for the oceans:

Ensure the long-term health and resilience of ocean and coastal ecosystems, including the role of fisheries.

David Parker told the Annual Forests and Birds Conference today that this vision and associated goals and principles will guide all work in his Oceans and Fisheries portfolio.

“The Prime Minister created this portfolio in 2020 to focus on ocean ecosystems as a whole. In response, we have launched a long-term, coordinated approach to address ocean sustainability issues through a series of programs and initiatives.

“The stakes are high. Oceans and coasts are central to the well-being and prosperity of New Zealanders. Most of us live near the coast, and the sea is an important part of our national identity. It has immense cultural value and has provided kaimoana and fun for as long as people have lived here.

“The challenges facing the oceans are complex and interconnected, and we need to take a holistic approach to tackle them,” said David Parker.

“We need to respond to increasing and cumulative pressures on the marine environment and improve environmental performance, including addressing the depletion of marine life and impacts on seabed habitat.

“To strengthen coordination between government agencies, I have established an Oceans Secretariat made up of officials from the Department of Conservation, the Department of Primary Industries, the Department of the Environment and other agencies as appropriate.

“This will ensure that the right expertise is around the table to provide advice to ministers on critical ocean issues and to improve the current fragmented nature of New Zealand’s marine management system.

“The vision of the oceans includes the role of fisheries. The jobs provided by the industry are important to many communities and the high quality New Zealand products sent around the world bring in valuable export earnings for our country.

“Significant reform of the fisheries system is needed to achieve the vision for the oceans. A key element of this reform is to make commercial fishing more sustainable, productive and inclusive.

“The changes have already started, keeping our election promises.

“This month, I announced a wider deployment of cameras on commercial fishing vessels, reforms to fishing rules to put incentives in the right place, and a series of new protections and improvements to the management of the Gulf. from Hauraki.

“Other important work continues, such as the development of deep-sea aquaculture.

“I will work closely with the Minister of Conservation to assess the future long-term work needed to achieve our vision for the oceans, including marine protection.

“Although there are a series of challenges facing our oceans, I have no doubts that we are working on a solid foundation. Together, we can make a real and lasting difference for present and future generations, ”said David Parker.

Background information

Vision, objectives and principles of the Oceans and Fisheries portfolio:

Vision

Ensure the long-term health and resilience of ocean and coastal ecosystems, including the role of fisheries.

Goals

• Promote an ecosystem approach to research, monitoring and management
• Establish a spatial planning framework that optimizes the protection and use of space and marine resources
• Support the development of a high value-added marine economy that offers equitable benefits for well-being

Principles

• Precautionary approach and adaptive management
• Fair distribution of costs and benefits
• Give effect to the Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi principles, including through fisheries and aquaculture regulations and other laws
• Decision making based on sound science and traditional knowledge
• Consistency with international commitments
• Transparent, inclusive and effective public participation processes.

Report of the Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister

The report by the Prime Minister’s Chief Scientific Adviser, The Future of Commercial Fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand, released in March 2021, envisioned an ambitious and innovative future for the commercial fishing industry, operating with minimal environmental impact. The report recommended that immediate evidence-based action be taken.

While the government’s full response to the report is under preparation, work is underway on some of the report’s recommendations, including innovation in fisheries, protection of habitats of special importance and increasing availability of fisheries information.