Government trims rules for cameras on fishing boats

The government is reducing the rules and cost for commercial fishers regarding cameras on boats and has delayed the remainder of the rollout by three months.

Labour greenlit the regime last term with the aim of getting cameras installed on up to 300 vessels, but new Fisheries Minister Shane Jones put it under review after last year's election.

In a statement issued Wednesday morning, Jones said officials had found ways to signficantly cut the cameras' running costs thereby reducing the burden on fishers.

"I plan to limit the cost recovery levies on industry for onboard cameras to a level comparable with the cost of observers on vessels," Jones said.

The government has contributed about $68 million towards the rollout with an estimated $10m to be covered by industry through the annnual levy system charged to quota owners. Ministry documents indicate the ongoing operational costs would also be recovered through those levies from 2025/26.

Jones said he would also reverse another rule introduced by Labour, requiring fishers to bring their entire catch back to port.

Instead, fishers would be allowed to throw unwanted bycatch overboard, as long as what was discarded was still counted against their entitlement, and they had cameras or observers on board to verify the catch.

"It will make the most of the onboard cameras and simplify the rules for fishers, reflecting challenges at sea. It recognises that as long as fishers are operating inside their catch entitlement, the government shouldn't be making decisions for fishers about what they should do with their catch," Jones said.

Jones said the government would also cut "unnecessary red tape" surrounding the setting of catch limits.

"I will look to speed up decision-making to make the most of our fisheries resources to generate income that supports jobs in our communities."

Officials would now develop specific proposals with the goal of seeking public feedback early next year.

They would also consider the "important matter of privacy for fishers", Jones said.

The timeframe extension means all remaining bottom longline vessels will be required to use cameras by March, as well as remaining trawl vessels smaller than 32 metres , except those targeting scampi.

Set net vessels 8m or greater in length, purse seine vessels, and Danish Seine vessels would have until May.

The deepwater fleet and scampi vessels remain excluded from the requirements.

Data released in April showed a dramatic increase in the reporting of dolphin captures and seabirds by the commercial industry since the introduction of on-board cameras.