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Highly Migratory Species (HMS)

Highly migratory species is a collective term that generally refers to tunas and associated species. 

Fisheries Inshore New Zealand now represents the interests of fishers, licensed fish receivers and quota owners that are involved in HMS fisheries. That representation is guided by the Fisheries Inshore New Zealand HMS Committee that is made up of nine members from across the fishery.

The relationship between Fisheries Inshore New Zealand and the HMS Committee is subject to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Among other things, this MOU ensures that those involved in the fishery retain the mandate for relevant decisions. 

The HMS Committee’s core role is focused on stock-specific issues and those issues that impact primarily on HMS fisheries. This is complemented by the work Fisheries Inshore New Zealand conducts on generic issues that benefit, or may impact on, the inshore sector as a whole. 

Most recently, Fisheries Inshore New Zealand responded to MPI’s proposal to introduce line weighting in this fishery to mitigate risks to seabirds. Our submission is available here.

As part of a Department of Conservation programme, the HMS fleet has invested in reducing risks to seabirds. All vessels now have specific seabird risk reduction plans onboard and improved tori lines have been provided to vessels. For more information on the Seabird Liaison Programme is available here

The HMS fisheries represented by Fisheries Inshore New Zealand are: STN1, SWO1, BIG1, YFN1, MOO1, BWS1, POS1, MAK1, TOR1, SKJ, ALB (excluding troll).