Divers Discussion Forum
You can reply to the message below by clicking the reply to this message link. If you have a question or have seen something interesting please please send us a new message. Wade or some of our viewers will reply to your questions.
[ Home | Contents | Search | Post a new message | Reply to this message | Next Message | Previous Message ]
From: MINISTRY OF FISHERIES
_: 5
Date: 04-02-10
Time: 08:38
Dear Stakeholder
Thank you for your email outlining your concerns about proposals for management of southern bluefin tuna. Firstly, let me assure you that New Zealand is indeed working with the other countries involved, to achieve global management of the southern bluefin tuna fishery. Southern bluefin tuna is a "highly migratory species" that moves across vast areas of ocean, both in the high seas and in the waters of many countries. Countries have obligations under international law to cooperate to ensure the effective management of southern bluefin tuna throughout its range. New Zealand has been a consistent advocate of adequate controls to prevent overfishing of southern bluefin tuna from continuing.
New Zealand advocacy at the most recent meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna was critical to the outcome of that meeting - a 20% reduction in the global catch of southern bluefin tuna. This decision covers all the major fishing nations for southern bluefin tuna. At the same meeting, it was also decided that individual countries' shares of the total catch should change. For New Zealand, this meant recognition of our long term commitment to the sustainability of the fishery, through an increased share of the global catch limit. While this increase is important to the New Zealand industry, the number one commitment for New Zealand at the meeting was always to secure a reduction in total catches, and to start rebuilding the southern bluefin tuna stock.
Other key agreements made at the meeting include development of a science-based management procedure that will provide additional guidance for setting future catch limits at a level that ensures rebuilding of the stock; and additional focus on monitoring, control, and surveillance measures to ensure members do not exceed their catch limits. If the management procedure for setting science-based catch limits has not been finalised by 2012 when catch limits are reviewed again, it has already been agreed that further cuts to the global catch limit will be made (an additional 36 - 47% from the current level).
Thank you for your submission, and once again I assure you that New Zealand remains proud of its track record of sustainable fisheries management, and is committed to ensuring that international shared fisheries such as southern bluefin tuna are also well managed.
Kind regards
Ministry of Fisheries
Last changed: 04-Feb-2010