How it Works
Introduced in 1986, the QMS involves the industry and government agencies working together to assess stock levels of all quota-managed species. From these results, the Minister of Fisheries sets a yearly Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) for each species concerned.
More than 90 species, or groups of species, are managed as over 620 fish stocks under the QMS. The system covers most major fisheries within New Zealand's EEZ, and may eventually cover all of the country's commercially harvested species.Setting TACCs
Scientists, industry and other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) work together to assess the population size and health of major commercial fish stocks within the designated Quota Management Areas (QMAs).Using the best available scientific information on sustainable yields, the Minister of Fisheries sets an annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limit for each QMA. The TAC is set to ensure sufficient fish remain to maintain maximum sustainable yield.
In fisheries where non-commercial users are involved (such as customary Maori or recreational fishermen), a portion of the available yield is set aside for their use before the annual commercial catch limit is set as a TACC.
The TACC is allocated as Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ), which are effectively rights to harvest a defined share of the annual TACC.Maximum Sustainable Yields
The New Zealand Fisheries Act (1996) establishes Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) as the standard reference point for sustainable management of fish stocks in New Zealand.MSY-based management is based on population dynamics which assess a fish stock to be most productive at a size between 30% and 59% of its initial un-fished size, because at lower population sizes, competition for food is decreased. The result is a younger and faster-growing population (i.e. more productive).
The objective of New Zealand fisheries management is to maintain each fish population at a size (biomass) that will support the Maximum Sustainable Yield (i.e. BMSY). If stocks fall below BMSY, commercial catch levels are reduced to enable stocks to rebuild.
For instance, the New Zealand hoki TACC has been variously set between a range of 90,000 tonnes to 250,000 tonnes depending on scientific assessments of stock status and size.Quota Rights
Quota rights can be transferred to another person or company either through the sale and purchase of quota or the sale and purchase of Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE). For most quota species, the year runs from 1 October to 30 September.
Indigenous "Maori" Rights
Initially it was agreed that Maori would receive 10% of all quota and a "trust", the Maori Fisheries Commission was established to receive these assets. Further discussion between Maori and the New Zealand Government lead to the introduction of the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act (1992) which provides for 20% of the quota for any new species under the QMS to be allocated to Maori. Maori interests are now significant participants in the New Zealand Seafood Industry.
The New Zealand Fisheries Act (1996) restricts the total quota owned by any person or company. This ensures that no single company or individual can develop a monopoly on fishing in any one area or for any one species.
Since 1986, restructuring in the seafood industry has progressively resulted in more quota being held by fewer individuals or companies. There are currently more than 2000 commercial rights-holders.
A monitoring process is set in place to ensure that actual landed catches are matched against catch entitlements. Penalties under law and court decisions act to dissuade fishers from catching more fish than they are entitled to.