Management of the Hauraki Gulf snapper fishery: a new approach

Abstract

Fisheries management objectives, both in New Zealand and overseas, have changed markedly in the last two decades. It is now acknowledged that objectives other than maximising biological (MSY) or economic (MEY) yields must be taken into account in fisheries management. The new overall management objective is the Optimum Sustainable Yield (OSY). OSY-based management, which must account for all relevant objectives, cannot in practise be successful. No single optimum yield exists that meets all, or even most, fisheries management objectives. In New Zealand, successful management is further hindered by a lack of fisheries data and management experience.

‘Satisficing’ is a management approach which does not remove the ‘multiple-objective’ management problem, but allows positive management in spite of it. Instead of attempting to maximise management objectives, reasonable minimum levels of achievement are set for each objective. A management process which incorporates the satisficing management approach and associated concepts is described.

The satisficing approach to management could be used within, but is not required by, the New Zealand fisheries management structure. Neither the overall New Zealand fisheries policy, nor the Individual Transferable Quota allocation system can be used with the satisficing management approach without modifications. The policy would have to be changed so as not to advocate a single optimum yield, and the ITQ allocation system would require restrictions or incentives to make it amenable to non-economic management objectives. At present the ITQ allocation system is also inconsistent with the overall fisheries policy, in that it is influenced only by economic objectives.