12. Question No. 12—Oceans and FisheriesTĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister for Oceans and FisheriesQuestion No. 12—Oceans and Fisheries12. TĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What recent announcement has she made regarding transformation in the fishing sector?Hon RACHEL BROOKING (Minister for Oceans and Fisheries): Last week I was pleased to announce public consultation on the draft Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan. This was my first announcement as Minister for Oceans and Fisheries. This plan intends to transform the fishing sector so that we can collectively do a better job of protecting the environment while providing more jobs and ensuring people earn more money. This plan sits alongside several recent and proposed regulatory changes to strengthen the management of fisheries and manage related environmental impacts. The draft plan is open for public consultation until 11 June and I encourage the public and interested stakeholders to have their say on this important Industry Transformation Plan.Tāmati Coffey: Why do we need this Industry Transformation Plan?Hon RACHEL BROOKING: The plan is necessary because the sector is experiencing a number of challenges including change in the marine environment an ageing inshore vessel fleet difficulties attracting and retaining workers and increasing cost pressures. This draft plan outlines a way forward for the future of the commercial fishing industry built around innovation sustainability and partnership. It builds on promising initiatives already under way to develop precision fishing gear and seafood-derived bioproducts. On top of all this consumers both locally and globally continue to demand high-quality and sustainably sourced seafood.Tāmati Coffey: Who has had input into the draft plan thus far?Hon RACHEL BROOKING: This draft fishing industry plan has been put together by representatives of the fishing industry with environmental groups iwi representatives scientists unions and the food sector. This plan is focused on supporting fishers to successfully navigate the changes the fishing industry faces to increase environmental performance and drive value so that this important industry remains sustainable and competitive over the long term.Hon Eugenie Sage: Congratulations to the Minister. Does she agree with comments by Greenpeace Aotearoa that we cannot rely on technology to avoid the destructive impacts of bottom trawling on fragile habitats such as seamounts in the Hauraki Gulf and that the Government must take action?Hon RACHEL BROOKING: I look forward to the submissions from Greenpeace on the transformation plan and note that this is a high-level strategy document about modernising the fishing industry and sparking these conversations.Tāmati Coffey: What are some of the opportunities that this draft plan presents?Hon RACHEL BROOKING: There are multiple opportunities across a range of industries that this plan presents. It will help expand medical cosmetic and nutraceutical products from seafoods so we can earn more without catching more. It will also help identify new technologies fishing gear and practices to reduce the impact fishing has on the seafloor and protected species and it will help develop skilled jobs for New Zealanders and ways to earn more from the fish that we catch.