So often we are asked how we came to be where we are i.e. QMS introductions, allocations and management decisions etc. We quickly realised that the relevant information was not readily available and if it was, more often than not it was buried in very large documents.

option4 initiated this section of the web site in 2002. We have endeavoured to extract from what are often huge documents, the relevant information for the fisheries and species that are important to the public.

Under each species we have collated the relevant information for each Fisheries Management Area (FMA) - these include extracts from the Ministry "Initial Position Papers" (IPP) that contain the Ministry's recommendations to their Minister, submissions from option4, NZRFC, NZBGFC, TOKM and industry (as available), the Ministers Decisions and the Final Advice Papers (FAP) that the Ministry offer their Minister, which take into account the various submissions made on the fisheries.

Much of this work is from the annual sustainability round of the fisheries management process. Also, where appropriate we have included information on the process for introducing new species into the Quota Management System (QMS).

If we are to go forward with confidence, it is critical we know where we have come from and how. So much of the complexity and uncertainty surrounding our right to fish for food is a result of this sort of information not being made readily available in a durable format. We hope that this section, over time, will help contribute to clear, consistent and fair fisheries management decisions by having good information readily available and the experience of previous processes.

Quota Management System (QMS)
An explanation of the QMS, IPPs, correspondence from the Minister and Ministry of Fisheries relating to the QMS and submissions to their proposals.
www.option4.co.nz/qmsdocs.htm

Fisheries Act 1996
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/browse_vw.asp?content-set=pal_statutes

Species
QMS proposals for particular species, related correspondence and submissions from option4, NZ Recreational Fishing Council, NZ Big Game Fishing Council and others as they are available:
Gurnard www.option4.co.nz/gurnard.htm
Kingfish www.option4.co.nz/kingfish.htm
Paua www.option4.co.nz/paua.htm
Snapper www.option4.co.nz/snapper.htm
Tarakihi www.option4.co.nz/tarakihi.htm

Fisheries Regulations
The Amateur Fishing Regulations control the activities of the public who fish for food. This public includes Maori when they are not fishing for the purposes of their marae and exercising their very powerful customary fishing rights.
Read more about these regulations and option4's input to any changes to these regulations here
www.option4.co.nz/regmgmt.htm

Customary Fishing
Maori have very strong customary management rights and mechanisms recognised in the Deed of Settlement 1992 and legislated in the Fisheries Act. More information coming soon.

Fiordland
Proposed changes to fisheries management in the region.
www.option4.co.nz/reggoff.htm

Aquaculture and Fish Farming
The pressure is on to increase the value of our exports from aquaculture and fin fish farming. This has major implications for the health of our coastal waters. For more information on aquaculture and fin fish farming go here www.option4.co.nz/aquaculture.htm