Harvest Strategy Standard
The Harvest Strategy Standard (HSS) is one of a number of fisheries standards being developed by the Ministry. A Standard represents the minimum performance level determined by Government to be acceptable.
The HSS applys to all New Zealand fishstocks in the Quota Management System (QMS). The HSS requires that target and limit biological reference points be set for all QMS fishstocks but is flexible about the means by which this is achieved. The intention is to make best use of available information for each individual stock.
The HSS consists of three core components:
- A specified target about which a fishery or stock should fluctuate.
- A soft limit that triggers a requirement for a formal, time-constrained rebuilding plan.
- A hard limit below which fisheries should be considered for closure.
Information on using the HSS is contained in the Operational Guidelines. The Operational Guidelines are designed to be a “living” companion document that will assist fisheries scientists, managers and stakeholders using the HSS.
The Operational Guidelines signal key aspects of the Ministry’s current thinking on the implementation of the HSS.
The Ministry regards the HSS as being an important development that will help ensure the sustainable use of New Zealand fisheries resources. The Standard will provide greater consistency and transparency in the management of New Zealand’s fisheries. We think a standards-based approach will also increase the likelihood of more New Zealand fisheries being able to be certified as environmentally sustainable.
The Harvest Strategy Standard was approved by the Minister of Fisheries in 24 October 2008.