Your Obligations under the Fisheries (Reporting) Regulations 2001

These Reporting Regulations apply only to those vessels exempted from the Fisheries (Reporting) Regulations 2017. Exemptions are expected to expire on the 31st of March 2018. 

There are a number of returns that must be completed by all fishers. To comply with the Fisheries (Reporting) Regulations 2001 and any reporting requirements listed on your permit, you need to fill in the correct returns. Specific details on the completion of each return are given in the explanatory notes attached to the forms. Monthly Harvest Returns and amendments can be done on line or using paper return forms. Catch Effort Returns can be submitted using Cedric or paper return forms.

There are many types of returns and each type of return is designed to record particular types of information for fisheries management purposes. These forms are:

• Monthly Harvest Returns (MHR)
• Monthly Harvest Return Amendment (MHRA)
• Catch, Effort and Landing Returns (CELR)
• Catch Landing Returns (CLR)
• Trawl Catch, Effort and Processing Returns (TCEPR)
• Tuna Longlining Catch, Effort Returns (TLCER)
• Squid Jigging Catch, Effort Returns (SJCER)
• Freshwater Eel Catch Effort Returns (ECER)
• Freshwater Eel Catch Landing Returns (ECLR)
• Paua Catch Effort Landing Returns (PCELR)
• Lining Catch Effort Returns (LCER)
• Netting Catch Effort Landing Returns (NCELR)
• Lining Trip Catch Effort Returns (LTCER)
• Trawl Catch Effort Returns (TCER)
• Non-Fish / Protected Species Catch Returns (NFPSCR)

High Seas Returns

• High Seas Catch, Effort and Landing Returns (HSCELR)
• High Seas Tuna Longlining Catch, Effort Returns (HSTLCER)
• High Seas Trawl Catch Effort Returns (HSTCER)
• High Seas Squid Jigging Catch, Effort Returns (HSSJCER)
• High Seas Lining Catch Effort Returns (HSLCER)

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Return Descriptions

Monthly Harvest Returns (MHR)

All permit holders must complete a Monthly Harvest Return each month. When no fishing activity has occurred in a month, a ‘Nil’ return is required. This return records all the catch for the month, both quota and non-quota stocks, and what vessels were used in the taking of that catch.

This form is due by the 15th day of the next month. You can also submit this form online, on the FishServe website.

Monthly Harvest Return Amendment (MHRA)

The Monthly Harvest Return Amendment form is used when a change needs to be made to the original MHR for that month.

Catch Effort And Landing Returns (CELR)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take fish from a vessel less than 28m in length, or permit holders who take fish without the use of a vessel. This excludes permit holders who are targeting Freshwater Eels or Paua (who need to complete Freshwater Eel returns or Paua returns).

These returns record all fish taken by the permit holder on a fishing trip. New forms should be completed for each fishing trip. Where no fishing is undertaken in a month, a ‘Nil’ return is required. These returns are due by the 15th day of the next month. For example, if you do four fishing trips in March, the four sets of returns are due by the 15th of April.

Catch Landing Returns (CLR)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take fish from a vessel that is more than 28m in length using the method of trawling, or permit holders targeting Tuna using the method of surface longlining, or permit holders taking squid using the method of squid jigging, or permit holders using a lining method that is not surface longlining and targeting Tuna. They should be used in conjunction with TCEPRs, SJCERs, TLCERs and LCERs.

The CLR will reflect the landings associated with the effort that is reported on the TCEPRs, SJCERs, TLCERs or LCERs for that trip. CLRs are due within 15 days of the end of the fishing trip except where the CLR relates to the landing of catch from surface longlining that has been reported on TLCERs, in which case the CLRs are due by the 15th day of the next month. Where no fishing is undertaken in a month, a ‘Nil’ return is required. “Nil” returns are due by the 15th day of the next month.

Trawl Catch, Effort and Processing Returns (TCEPR)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take fish from a vessel greater than 28m in length by the method of trawling and by permit holders who trawl for SNA in areas 1, 8 and 9 and have been instructed to complete the forms by the Ministry for Primary Industries. They need to be completed on each day or part day that the vessel is on a fishing trip and are due within 15 days of the end of the fishing trip. "Nil" returns should not be submitted using these forms.

Tuna Longlining Catch Effort Returns (TLCER)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who target Tuna by method of longlining, regardless of vessel size. These returns record every set made from the vessel on a fishing trip and are due by the 15th day of the next month. “Nil” returns should not be submitted using these forms.

Squid Jigging Catch Effort Returns (SJCER)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take squid by the method of jigging, regardless of vessel size. They need to be completed for each day or part day that the vessel is on a fishing trip and are due within 15 days of the end of the fishing trip. “Nil” returns should not be submitted using these forms.

Freshwater Eel Catch Effort Returns (ECER)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who target freshwater eels using any fishing method and should be completed in conjunction with Freshwater Eel Catch Landing Returns (ECLR). They record all fishing activity for a calendar month, with data being recorded each time gear is lifted or retrieved. These returns are due by the 15th day of the next month. “Nil” returns should not be submitted using these forms.

Freshwater Eel Catch Landing Returns (ECLR)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who target freshwater eels using any fishing method and should be completed in conjunction with Freshwater Eel Catch Effort Returns (ECER). They record all catch landings for a calendar month, with data being recorded for each landing and are due by the 15th day of the next month. If the permit holder is an operator or notified user of no vessels or one vessel, a “Nil” return can be submitted using this form. If the permit holder is an operator or notified user of more than one vessel then “Nil” returns should not be submitted using these forms, CELRs should be submitted for each vessel in this case.

Paua Catch Effort Landing Returns (PCELR)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who target paua by the method of diving or land paua. They record all paua diving and/or landings undertaken on a particular day and are due by the 15th day of the next month. A new form should be used for each day’s diving/landing. If no paua was landed during the month and no diving took place, then a “Nil” return must be submitted using this form.

Lining Catch Effort Returns (LCER)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take fish from a vessel greater than 28m in length by the methods of bottom longlining, surface longlining (targeting species other than tuna or swordfish), and trot lining. These returns record all fishing taken by the permit holder on a fishing trip. New forms should be completed for each fishing trip. These returns are due within 15 days of the end of the fishing trip.

Netting Catch Effort Landing Returns (NCELR)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take fish by set netting, inshore drift netting, or pair set netting from a vessel that is 6m or more in length. These returns record all fish taken by the permit holder on a fishing trip. New forms should be completed for each fishing trip. Where no fishing is undertaken in a month, a ‘Nil’ return is required.

These returns are due by the 15th day of the next month. For example, if you do four fishing trips in March, the four sets of returns are due by the 15th of April.

High Seas Catch, Effort and Landing Returns (HSCELR)

These returns may need to be completed by permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996. Permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996 should check their permits for details of their reporting requirements. If the permit holder is required to complete these returns, the returns should be completed following the explanatory notes attached to the forms.

High Seas Tuna Longlining Catch, Effort Returns (HSTLCER)

These returns may need to be completed by permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996. Permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996 should check their permits for details of their reporting requirements. If the permit holder is required to complete these returns, the returns should be completed following the explanatory notes attached to the forms.

High Seas Trawl Catch Effort Returns (HSTCER) These returns may need to be completed by permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996. Permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996 should check their permits for details of their reporting requirements. If the permit holder is required to complete these returns, the returns should be completed following the explanatory notes attached to the forms.

High Seas Squid Jigging Catch, Effort Returns (HSSJCER)

These returns may need to be completed by permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996. Permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996 should check their permits for details of their reporting requirements. If the permit holder is required to complete these returns, the returns should be completed following the explanatory notes attached to the forms.

High Seas Lining Catch Effort Returns (HSLCER)

These returns may need to be completed by permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996. Permit holders fishing with a high seas fishing permit issued under section 113H of the Fisheries Act 1996 should check their permits for details of their reporting requirements. If the permit holder is required to complete these returns, the returns should be completed following the explanatory notes attached to the forms.

Lining Trip Catch Effort Returns (LTCER)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take fish from a vessel 6 or more metres but not more than 28 metres in overall length by the methods of bottom longlining, surface longlining (targeting species other than tuna or swordfish), and trot lining.

These returns record all fishing taken by the permit holder on a fishing trip. New forms should be completed for each fishing trip. These returns are due by the 15th day of the next month. For example, if you do four fishing trips in March, the four sets of returns are due by the 15th of April.

Trawl Catch Effort Returns (TCER)

These returns are to be completed by permit holders who take fish from a vessel 6 or more metres but not more than 28 metres in overall length by the methods of bottom trawl, bottom pair trawl, midwater trawl, and mid-water pair trawl.

These returns record all fish taken by the permit holder on a fishing trip. New forms should be completed for each fishing trip. These returns are due by the 15th day of the next month. For example, if you do four fishing trips in March, the four sets of returns are due by the 15th of April. “Nil” returns should not be submitted using these forms.

Non-Fish / Protected Species Catch Returns (NFPSCR)

A NFPSCR is not required every month, it is only required if, while fishing, you have an incidental catch of a non-fish/protected species.

If the “Non-fish/Protected species catch” box is ticked on Catch Effort Returns a NFPSCR must be provided. This return is then due by the 15th day of the next month.

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