Societal attitudes towards our fisheries continue to change. The ecosystem based management approach, which will be the cornerstone of the Fisheries 2010 Strategy, is a recognition that natural systems are interconnected and need to be managed in ways that ensure their survival. The Ministry believes it is time to view the management of fisheries in the context of the aquatic ecosystem environment. All aspects and values of the aquatic ecosystem need to be taken into account when considering fisheries management goals and regimes. More information is needed about the relationship between the population dynamics of species and the health of the ecosystem.
Many fish stocks depend on a healthy, near-shore coastal ecosystem.
For example, mangrove and other inshore ecosystems are important nurseries for many commercial fish stocks. The Ministry recognises that moving to an ecological framework for managing our fisheries will require the building of a new consensus with stakeholders and other government agencies. This process will consist of establishing the outcomes society wants to achieve and implementing the strategies to achieve these outcomes. Once the frameworks to maximise the contribution of all stakeholders in this process are in place, all future fisheries policy will be judged on the basis of whether it is consistent with the principles of the Fisheries 2010 Strategy and advances or detracts from achieving its goals. Ecological values in a market economy Among other things, the Environment 2010 Strategy pointed out that the market economy is a very efficient and flexible way to allocate many resources to meet individual needs and preferences.