Speaking via DVD link at the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen's Annual Conference being held in Waitangi, he said that Government and industry can work together to achieve economic and environmental goals and the most significant is the development of a fisheries plans.
"Of course, plans are best laid on the basis of sound information. This will help with future planning and management of inshore fisheries, and will help inform coastal planning decisions around marine protection and aquaculture development,” he said.
Mr Anderton said that work was already underway through a collaborative project with the industry. And ,it has already indicated support for the costs of the project to be recovered from quota owners
“This work will greatly benefit New Zealand’s inshore fishing industry. Our seafood exports are worth over $3 million a day, the industry is seven times bigger today than it was twenty years ago and the world market for fish exports is booming. The United Nations says the global demand for seafood will increase by a third over the next ten years, so there is enormous potential to grow the fishing industry."
Mr Anderton acknowledged that making plans for the management of fishing and fish production marks a significant change for the Government and it would take time to develop.
He said is was very important for everyone with a stake in fishing to be involved. Opportunity abounds for NZ fish production, as a business and as a resource, but the sector must be protected and managed using the knowledge and technical expertise.
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