Paraone Pita: Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading 
Paraone Pita: Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading 
[Volume:648;Page:17525] 
PITA PARAONE (NZ First) 
: 
 Tena koe Madam Assistant Speaker. On behalf of New Zealand First I rise to take a call in this debate on the first reading of the Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Bill (No 2). The issue of the sustainability and protection of fish stocks is very important to New Zealand. Why? It is because New Zealand’s fish stocks are one of the world’s most envied food sources and the quota-based fisheries management system is touted as a leader in sustainable resource management. With food prices on the rise the oceans are increasingly being considered as the great provider. With technology allowing for improved or greater catches global stocks are dwindling and many grounds are in serious danger. In New Zealand although a quota management system has helped to prevent overfishing it does not detract from the need for New Zealand and this Parliament to ensure that that particular resource is sustained. 
Although this is a small bill it is a very important one. As earlier speakers have rightly said it amends section 13 of the Fisheries Act and gives it clarity. I am not a member of the Primary Production Committee which the Minister has asked that this matter be referred to but I note that the lead speaker from National referred to briefings that were made available to him and his party by the Minister. I hope that at some time during the process the Minister might extend that same courtesy—and I am not speaking on behalf of other parties—to New Zealand First. Having said that I am advised by our member on the select committee that the Minister may have offered us the opportunity for a briefing and giving him the benefit of the doubt I just ask whether the Minister and his office might consider a briefing for New Zealand First. 
This legislation becomes a very important issue for New Zealand and its fishing industry. Legislation and regulation are major tools to ensure sustainability and protection and the quota management system is part of that. From time to time legislation and regulations have to be amended to ensure the intent of those rules meets present-day demands. Although the Minister quite rightly points out that this bill is a result of court action that fact does not detract from or remove the bill’s intention of ensuring that our current regulations and legislation meet their original intent. The bill does that by amending section 13 of the Fisheries Act 1996 for the purpose of enabling the continuation of established practice in relation to setting a total allowable catch under section 13 even where there is an absence of sufficient information relating to biomass and the biomass that can produce a maximum sustainable yield. 
I think therein lies the real issue of the bill because it allows the Minister to make a decision albeit in the absence of research. On behalf of New Zealand First I express some disquiet. I hope that in terms of making decisions that practice does not become the norm for the Minister and that the bureaucrats within his ministry are not given a licence to do away with the need for proper research. I just express that disquiet at this time but I should say that New Zealand First will support the bill going to the select committee. We think it is important that the public of New Zealand not least those involved in the industry are able to express their point of view whether it be one of disquiet or of support. 
It has been suggested that because the livelihood of fisher people is reliant on the sustainability of the resource perhaps self-governance on their part ought to be seen as acceptable. However we know that this sort of approach has not always worked. However I acknowledge there are exceptions. I refer to the Southland CRA 8 crayfish fishery as a leading example of successful self-management. Those quota holders took it upon themselves to cut the harvest. They have helped the crayfish population rebuild to abundant levels but several fisher people unable to ride out the necessary limited fishing period have had to sell up in the interim. So there are examples of self-management. 
I do not need to go on any further to make the point. New Zealand First will support the bill going to the select committee so the public of New Zealand can express their views. Kia ora.