Circular Changes & Updated Reporting Requirements

01 Dec 2021

Following changes to the electronic reporting circulars, updated reporting requirements must be used from the 1st of December 2021.

The FishServe website has been updated to accommodate these changes. Your e-logbook provider has likely contacted you about updating your e-logbook to ensure it meets the new reporting requirements.

Below, you’ll find an outline of some of these changes, what they mean for your electronic reports, and the additional information you’ll need to provide in some of your reports. Keep reading to find out more or choose a topic from the list.

Reporting Flatfish and Hāpuku / Bass

You must report the 8 species of QMS flatfish, and hāpuku / bass at a species level in your electronic reports. You’ll find a list of the updated codes here and in the circulars.

Please note: These codes apply only to your electronic reports. Flatfish (FLA) and Hāpuku / Bass (HPB) can only be reported at a group level in your Monthly Harvest Returns (MHRs).

MPI have put together factsheets for these reporting requirements, which include images and characteristics of each species to help you identify them. You can find these by using the links below:

Trip Start Reports

You may have noticed that an additional field called PSRMP has been added to Trip Start reports. This field is used to declare if your vessel has a Protected Species Risk Management Plan (PSRMP) in place for the fishing method you’ll use most often during your trip.

Non-Fish Protected Species Reports

Your NFPS reports must be linked to a fishing event. You can enter the most likely fishing event if you’re not sure which fishing event the NFPS report relates to.

However, there is one exception to this. Your NFPS report won’t need to be linked to fishing event only if you are reporting a seabird deck strike. This is the only exception to the rule.

Additional Life Status Category

Decomposing was added as an additional life status. The decomposing status is used to record animals (seabirds, marine mammals, reptiles, protected fish species) that were already dead prior to being caught in fishing gear and brought aboard.

SPRFMO Species Codes

SPRFMO species codes were added to the list of NFPS species codes. However, these codes must only be used if you’ve reported fishing under a High Seas Permit in the linked fishing event. You’ll find a list of these codes here and in the circulars.

Reporting Mitigation Devices

You must report mitigation device(s) for these fishing methods:

  • Trawl
  • Lining (bottom longlining and trot lining)
  • Tuna-Lining / Surface Longlining

An updated list of accepted mitigation device codes is available for each of the above methods. However, trawling has two lists of accepted codes:

  • A list for vessels under 28 metres
  • A list for vessels 28 metres and over

A list of all of these codes is available here and in the circulars.

Reporting Line Weighting

You must report line weight details for these fishing methods:

  • Lining (bottom longlining and trot lining)
  • Tuna-lining / Surface Longlining

Ring Netting & End of Set Details

You’re not required to report end of set details for ring netting under the new reporting requirements.

Clarifications

The updated circulars provide clarification about potting reports. You don’t need to report activity related to pots or other fishing equipment that are not intended to catch fish. For example, you don’t need to submit a potting report if you’re retrieving unbaited pots that you’ve stored in the water.

If you have any issues or questions, please contact the helpline on 04 460 9555 or use our online contact form.

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Additional Resources

MPI Document - Itemised list of changes to electronic reporting circulars

MPI Website - 2021 amendments to the electronic catch reporting circulars

MPI Website - Digital monitoring resources