Expanding New Zealand's quota management system

This article explores New Zealand's experience with introducing species into the quota management system (QMS). The Fisheries Amendment Act 1986 brought about the QMS based on the allocation of individual transferable quota (ITQ) to those who met the eligibility criteria. At that time, 27 commercially valued species were introduced into the QMS. While the intent was to manage more species within the QMS, introduction occurred slower than initially anticipated, with only another 15 species introduced into the QMS by 2000. The last major impediments to the QMS introduction process were removed in 2001 with the full implementation of the Fisheries Act 1996 and the development of a new registry computer system. The Ministry of Fisheries then embarked on a project to introduce a further 50 species into the QMS by 2004. This article outlines the challenges encountered and legislative and procedural changes made for introducing species into the QMS. This article contributes to the broader discussion on the application of ITQ to the management of fisheries resources and does not necessarily express the views of the Ministry of Fisheries.