Industry fishing for control

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

GONE FISHING: New Zealand's fishing industry says it could save billions in inefficiencies if it regulated some of its own activities.

New Zealand's commercial fishing industry is drawing up proposals to take control of regulating some of its activities which it claims could save billions of dollars in efficiencies.

Dubbed "Managing Our Own Ship", the new strategy is the key theme at this year's Seafood Industry Council (NZSIC) conference, which will be opened by Prime Minister John Key on Wednesday.

The council claims some government backing for the concept although Minister of Fisheries Phil Heatley appeared cautious about the plan on Friday.

Conservationists are warning that an attempt to take control of important elements of regulation would lead to a "major brawl".

The council admits that Managing Our Own Ship is at an early stage but the possible gains could be significant. Its official publication said a "conservative estimate" said the strategy could increase the quota value of the industry by $2.5 billion.

NZIC policy manager Nici Gibbs said the conference would try to thrash out agreement on what elements the industry would like control of, and how it would work.

Possible issues included where and at what time of year certain fish are caught, to enable the industry to harvest particular species when the market is strongest. For example, rock lobsters demand a substantial premium around the Chinese New Year compared with other months.

Ms Gibbs said the industry would only seek power over "things that are entirely within the scope of the commercial fishing sector".

More controversial proposals could include the industry taking control of research into whether quotas are sustainable, or regulating the impact the industry has on seabirds. Ms Gibbs said the industry would be more nimble at managing the process than the Ministry of Fisheries.

"Industry can do it more efficiently and we want to look after our own business. We want the benefits and we should be the ones to put in the investment to get the benefits and rewards."

NZSIC told its members in February that key Government ministers, including Mr Heatley, were "in behind the idea". Its official magazine quoted a letter from Mr Heatley which said he "supported the proposals in the strategy".

On Friday Mr Heatley issued a statement which said that while self regulation was "an excellent goal" for the industry, the Government would continue to monitor activities closely.

"There are some key responsibilities that must remain with government such as setting sustainable catch limits as well as setting and monitoring standards for managing environmental impacts," Mr Heatley said.

"What we will be looking for is for the industry to develop firm proposals with options for implementation that the Government can then work through."

Environmental groups said they had been given little information about the strategy.

Victoria University School of Government and Environmental Studies senior lecturer Cath Wallace said the public was responsible for managing fisheries and that the power for regulation must lie with the Minister of Fisheries.

"It shouldn't be that the fishing industry holds the pen and other people have to become supplicants."

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