Fisheries reforms will not ensure sustainability - EDS

The Environmental Defence Society has lodged its final submission on the Ministry for Primary Industries’ proposed changes to the Fisheries Act and associated regulations.

The submission supports the need to enable more timely and responsive fisheries management, however EDS has serious concerns about proposals to streamline decision-making without addressing the information constraints and paucity of policy in the current management system.

EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart says “Overall, EDS does not support the changes as they are currently proposed because without adequate constraints they increase sustainability risks for wild fish stocks and the marine environment. More investment in robust marine science is required to inform decision-making within sustainable limits, and the policy framework needs to be strengthened and modernised to better support ecosystem-based fisheries management.”