Our principal service focuses on the off shore or catch sector activities and clients include species management companies, individual fishers, permit holders plus other interested parties such as scientists. FAS has also undertaken a range of on shore planning, risk management and auditing projects for both the public and private sectors.

Compliance and education for quotaholders

In line with our original intention of being a proactive compliance and education company, most contracts have been negotiated around quotaholders desire to increase or verify compliance with regulations. For example, monitoring and reporting of marine mammal and other bycatch as well as the selected data about compliance with fisheries and export regulations.

Typically, immediate feedback on compliance issues and a realtime resolution of any non compliance is a basic requirement.

Fleet monitoring and education programs

FAS has completed a fleet monitoring, compliance and education program for the past two years in the Cook Strait hoki fishery. The contract includes collating information about the fishing fleet, placing observers on vessels and aggregating and reporting data about safety, education and compliance issues. The intention of this program is to promote responsible fishing practices, contribute data for the stock assessment purposes and answer any questions about compliance issues.

Scientific data collection

Some contracts have focused on the collection of scientific data to contribute to national stock assessment programmes and on one long term contract in the Australian sub Antarctic fishery, our observers are required to collect biological and scientific data only.

Dockside monitoring

Dockside monitoring contracts have specifically monitored product discharge and collected data randomly for carton weight and species labelling, tonnage verification and facilitation of product clearance for export.

This service can also include vessel specific checks for correct identification of call sign, display of permit, ALC, and other technical aspects of vessel operation able to be audited dockside.

FAS has successfully completed Licensed Fish Receivers Audits according to protocols set down by the Ministry of Fisheries.

Clients

FAS can be contacted directly by clients and the expectations of all parties are clearly defined prior to any work being undertaken. Our expertise in project design is available to guide contract negotiations.

John or Pat Reid,   PO Box 1304,   Nelson,   New Zealand
Telephone (++64) 3 547 2373    Fax (++64) 3 547 2371     Mobiles 021 542 543  or 025 542 543
Email observers@sea.net.nz