Part 9: Implementing the results of research

• Translating research into improved fishing practices
• Transparency in considering if research results should change the direction and content of the Conservation Services Programme

Translating research into improved fishing practices

9.1
At the time of our 2002 report, 115 reports had been published arising from research work through the Conservation Services Programme. These reports constitute a valuable research effort.

9.2
We noted that it was not always clear how effectively the research findings were translated into improved fishing practices that could reduce the adverse effects of commercial fishing.

9.3
We recommended that DOC work with the Ministry of Fisheries to take a more active role in ensuring that research findings are translated into improved fishing practices.

What progress has been made in implementing our recommendation?

9.4
The Conservation Services Programme’s draft Strategic Plan 2005-10 includes the following policy objective –

The Conservation Services Programme will ensure that the outputs of funded projects are communicated effectively to the appropriate audience in a timely manner, either as part of the project or through collective reporting mechanisms.

9.5
The draft strategic plan refers to 3 functions that are served by this policy objective:

• accountability, by demonstrating that purchased services have been delivered;
• providing a greater level of understanding of interactions, species, and mitigation techniques; and
• facilitating techniques to mitigate the adverse effects of commercial fishing.

9.6
DOC acknowledges in the Conservation Services Programme’s draft Research Plan 2005-10 that there has been insufficient reporting of the results of the Programme’s funded work to fishers in New Zealand. To address this deficiency, DOC has planned a project to provide workshops in fishing ports.

9.7
The objectives of the workshops are to:

• provide feedback to fishers on mitigation advancements;
• provide feedback on protected species by-catch results;
• learn what fishers are doing with respect to mitigation techniques; and
• allow the Conservation Services Programme to learn from fishers.

9.8
DOC states in the draft research plan that this will, in turn, build trust and respect between fishers and the Conservation Services Programme, enabling progress to be made towards mitigation and a reduction in the by-catch of protected species.

9.9
In addition, DOC has taken the following steps to increase the translation of research findings into improved fishing practices:

• appointed fisheries advisory officers to provide advice directly to skippers and crews of fishing vessels;¹⁰
• increased the funding of projects developing or testing the implementation of mitigation techniques;
• increased the priority of projects for writing up existing data by employing a scientist; and
• provided support to Southern Seabird Solutions.¹¹

9.10
SeaFIC believes that considerable progress had been made in relation to acting upon the research findings of the seabird autopsy reports. Results of these reports, in conjunction with the reports of observers, are now being used to help inform priorities for fisheries and fishing methods. This requires:

• further observer coverage, aimed at establishing the timing and causes of seabird interaction, and mitigation methods;¹²
• developing mitigation methods; and
• educating fishers.

9.11
We note from the draft Strategic Plan 2005-10 that one of the policy objectives guiding the Conservation Services Programme’s research states – High priority will be given to projects that contribute to the research, development and communication of effective mitigation methods/approaches.

Our conclusions

9.12
Initiatives have been implemented to help commercial fishers to reduce the potential adverse effects of commercial fishing. We understand other initiatives are pending, and would expect these to include ongoing concentration on the fishing vessels responsible for most of the seabird mortality.

9.13
DOC is taking steps to ensure that its planning documents for the Conservation Services Programme support research findings being translated into improved fishing practices. This has the potential to provide an improved setting for more activity in this area in the future.

Transparency in considering if research results should change the direction and content of the Conservation Services Programme

9.14
In 2002, we recommended that DOC establish a more transparent process for considering whether research findings indicate any need for changes in the direction and content of the Conservation Services Programme. What progress has been made in implementing our recommendation?

9.15
DOC is drafting a number of planning documents and a framework to determine the priority projects for the Conservation Services Programme. These documents are being prepared in consultation with interested parties.

9.16
The planning documents include a 5-year strategic plan, a 5-year research plan, and an annual plan.

9.17
The relationship between the documents is described in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1
Relationship between the Conservation Services Programme’s strategic plan, research plan, and annual plan

9.18
The strategic plan is explained through the research plan. The research plan then provides specific guidance for each annual plan. While the research plan takes a 5-year forward view, it will be updated annually. DOC’s intention is that this will allow subsequent consultation on annual plans to focus on project details, rather than broader strategic issues.

9.19
The process described above is supported by a number of policy objectives, and is the means for prioritising research projects. DOC intends that this will establish a more transparent framework for prioritising research projects for each annual plan.

9.20
The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand expressed support for the work DOC has undertaken. It believes there had been an improvement in DOC’s reporting on research, reviewing the results of projects, and involving stakeholders. The Society welcomed the overall direction and openness demonstrated by DOC – for instance, the system for prioritising, and the 5-year plan that indicates the future research direction and scale of projects. The Society noted that it would be making submissions on these matters.

9.21
One fishing company commented that the draft Strategic Plan 2005-10 contains a significant body of work that reviews the direction and content of the Conservation Services Programme. The company believes that the ability to review annually the information needs and priorities of the research will be a significant improvement.

9.22
However, the company also expressed concern that some research projects are continuing to appear in annual plans even though commercial fishers may no longer have an adverse effect on a protected species.

9.23
SeaFIC expressed a similar view. Its concern was that long-term projects have not been examined to determine whether they need modification or termination, or whether their overall purpose had been achieved.

9.24
DOC advises that it is taking steps to address these concerns. For example, in the past, long-term projects may not have had clearly defined objectives; nor have they always been reviewed in relation to those objectives. In relation to the observer programme (one of the major long-term projects), DOC advises that it has commissioned work that will review past observer data with the intention of optimising observer placement in the future.

Our conclusions

9.25
DOC is preparing a number of planning documents, and a framework designed to guide and inform the priority projects, for the Conservation Services Programme. These documents are being developed in consultation with interested parties.

9.26
It is too early to determine if these initiatives will provide a more transparent process for considering whether research findings indicate a need for change in the direction and content of the Conservation Services Programme.

10: The Annual Report 2003-04 notes that advisory officers were funded to assist ling, tuna and snapper fishers to avoid accidentally catching seabirds.

11: Southern Seabird Solutions is an incorporated trust, working with environmental groups, fishing companies, and governments to create co-operative approaches to reduce the number of fishing-related seabird deaths throughout the southern hemisphere.

12: DOC advised that planned observer coverage includes focusing upon the vessel types that have a known history of “problems”, with the aim of determining the practices that are causing the harm.