Long term gain from medium term pain - lessons for fisheries managers from integrated ecosystem based and collaborative approaches in New Zealand

Abstract

Aotearoa New Zealand has a long running and well managed quota management system for its fisheries, yet still faces challenges in terms of designing and implementing integrated ecosystem based approaches. Two recent processes have challenged the norm. In the Te Korowai case, issues surrounding the coastal marine environment were managed through an inclusive process based on a Maori concept of 'gifting and gaining', e.g., commercial fishers gifted some space but gained certainty over other space allocation, while conservation groups gained a marine reserve while gifting their preferred reserve location. Specific government legislation has been passed to implement the entire agreement. In the case of the Marlborough Sounds there are multiple concerns, with many specifically about fisheries issues, but clearly also linked to land use practices. An inclusive process, based around Natural Capital principles, led by a commercial fishing company, Aotearoa Fisheries working collaboratively with key government agencies and the Sustainable Business Council is now embarking on an ongoing collaborative process that is whole-of-ecosystem based and fully inclusive. Using a comparative policy analysis framework the drivers of both processes are explored and compared to previous approaches in the same locations. The findings indicate that while fully inclusive and more ecosystem based processes take time, and resources, and are more stressful, the provide more durable outcomes which are also more likely to address key processes of change.