As a nation, we led the world in how to manage fisheries when we introduced the quota management system 30 years ago. This system still underpins how we manage our fisheries today. But advancements in technology, emerging innovation, and increasing consumer expectations for sustainable seafood are driving a need for change.

To achieve the vision of this Government, change to the fisheries management system is required to improve how it works now and into the future.

Some changes are already underway.

The next step in this programme of work is this consultation that will inform proposed changes to enhance sustainability and performance, and provide a platform to address the future challenges and opportunities that our fisheries face. The proposals include:

• amending the rules for commercial fishers that set out what fish must be brought back to port and what fish can be returned to the sea;
• ensuring effective and fair offences and penalties;
• streamlining the decision-making process for setting catch limits;
• technical fisheries management changes.

Informed by your feedback on the proposals in this consultation document, a later stage will be to consider and consult on appropriate options to improve our monitoring and verification capabilities for commercial fisheries.

These proposed changes help set us up to explore a third step: an ecosystem-based approach to managing our marine environment, investing in innovation, and empowering local communities to have greater involvement in the decisions that affect them.