Sealord Resources Manager and Scientist Charles Heaphy says work to monitor the health of fish stocks includes Management Strategy evaluations, harvest control rules and fishery independent measures of resource abundance. Before any changes are recommended by the fisheries scientists, the effect on habitat and protected species is assessed.

“We have all of this excellent work happening, but the current rules work against best practice fisheries management. Delays in the process mean we can’t be flexible or adaptive, and this is particularly important in relation to climate change – that is what all the research points to.”

In addition to multi-year TAC adjustments, Doug says other changes outlined in the proposal are also positive.

“We support the changes to landings and discards, and the removal of redundant regulations, among other proposals, and we will certainly be submitting in support. However, we would like to see more done to reduce compliance costs that place a heavy burden on our company and the wider sector,” he says.

Sealord Group paid $7.5m in Fisheries and Conservation levies to the Ministry for Primary Industries in the last financial year to cover observers, fisheries research, compliance, and cameras, which are not on any Sealord vessel due to being part of the deepwater fleet.

“Excessive compliance costs are limiting our ability to invest in our company and our people, and ultimately impacting our and the wider sector’s opportunity to contribute to economic growth.”