Fisheries management issues for 2006
We have compiled a brief list of some of the issues that are to affect Maori rights to the marine environment this year.
Marine Protected Areas
The Government recently released its Marine Protected Areas strategy, which aims to protect a representative sample of ecosystems and habitats. It is still to complete further development work on “classification” of ecosystems and what constitutes acceptable protection standards for them.
Iwi will need to be familiar with this as some of the protected areas may fall within an iwi's coastal rohe. While Te Ohu Kaimoana would have preferred a commitment to least-cost solutions based on risk and taking account of the settlement, we are not convinced that the approach about to be implemented is needed to provide greater protection of the environment. It appears to be biased toward an exclusive protectionist regime that will close areas to any form of fishing rather than encouraging a responsible system that minimises impacts and maintains them within sustainable limits.
Oceans
How we manage our whole ocean environment is to continue this year. Work by Government departments on this policy was put on hold while aquaculture and other marine issues were worked through, but we expect the work to resume again this year.
Te Ohu Kaimoana will work actively with Iwi to analyse and assess the development of this Oceans Policy to ensure it doesn't cut across the Maori Fisheries settlements. It is expected that there will be discussion with stakeholders around the middle of the calendar year
Costal occupation charges by Regional Councils
Under the Resource Management Act 1991, regional councils must consider whether or not they will apply a coastal occupation-charge for occupying:
- Crown-owned land in the coastal marine area, or
- Land in the coastal marine area vested in the regional council.
The effect of coastal occupation charges could make marine farming uneconomic. A draft industry opinion on these charges has been established by Te Ohu Kaimoana and was sent to iwi last September. The reasons for applying a coastal occupation charge are unclear. Te Ohu Kaimoana believes councils have no basis for the charge and that they could adversely affect the value of aquaculture settlement assets Councils have agreed that the way coastal occupation charges are outlined under the Resource Management Act makes their purpose unclear and that to some degree, the industry policy is correct.
However, councils have been working to develop a methodology for charging based on the assumption that the charges are for a “rent” of the marine space. The fishing industry is looking at alternative measures and will communicate these to iwi once completed.
Mataitai
Much has been mentioned recently about applications for proposed mataitai.
While mataitai remain an effective tool for managing fisheries they are only one of several options open to iwi when concerns arise over exploitation or the continued variability of customary fishing areas.
Customary considerations are always paramount but commercial considerations should always be factored into mataitai proposals as they can affect the value of an iwi's settlement assets and place strain on neighbouring marine ecosystems.
One possible outcome from the introduction of mataitai is that non-commercial rights will suspend the ability of iwi to catch their commercial quota just at the time that quota is returned to iwi. Te Ohu is convinced there are far better and more durable outcomes.
The board has directed staff to develop proposals to discuss with iwi, the fishing industry and the Ministry of Fisheries. Iwi have a key role to play in coordinating and helping their hapu and constituent groups satisfy non-commercial needs while still being able to exercise their commercial rights to the greatest extent possible.
One solution that appears to be working well for Kahungunu is the Pataka Kai model where coordination at the iwi level has meant that kaimoana can be moved between areas and seasons to provide sufficient seafood for the needed occasions while minimising the overall level of ‘reserve'. It is important that iwi be pro-active in this area and work with Te Ohu Kaimoana to create win-win solutions.
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Tiakina ngā rawa hi ika, a tātou kaimoana mo ngā uri whakaheke
Protecting Māori fisheries assets for future generations