FISHERIES (CONVERSION FACTORS) NOTICE 2005
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO PRINCIPAL LANDED
STATE DEFINITIONS
Introduction
The total allowable commercial catch for most fishstocks is specified as the total weight of
whole fish that can be taken. Total weight is referred to as the greenweight. Greenweight
means the weight of fish prior to any processing or removal of any part of the fish.
Most fish are partly or fully processed at sea. Section 188(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
provides that “…conversion factors shall be used to translate the weight of any fish… in the
state to which it has been processed to the greenweight…”
Conversion factors are numbers. To calculate a greenweight value for a quantity of processed
fish, the weight of the processed fish is multiplied by the conversion factor. The more fish is
processed, i.e. the smaller the weight of the processed state, the higher the value of the
conversion factor required to arrive at greenweight.
If fish are processed into two or more states before landing, the landed state that has the
greatest actual weight is the principal landed state. To obtain greenweight for reporting
purposes, the conversion factor is applied to the principal landed state.
The Fisheries (Conversion Factors) Notice specifies conversion factors for a number of
processed states and species. The notice defines each processed state i.e. each principle
landed state. It is important that these definitions are robust enough to ensure that conversion
factors are applied to processed states that are the same, regardless of who processes the fish.
The conversion factors in the Notice are based on average recovery rates for a defined
processed state and set after sampling by MFish Observers during processing at sea. Such
universal conversion factors only work for processed states that are a constant proportion of
the whole fish.
Table 1 shows a general hierarchy of processed states, with representative conversion factors.
Conversion factors for a particular state will vary according to species.
Table 1: General Hierarchy of Processed States.
STATE
REPORTING CODE
CONVERSION FACTOR
Gutted
Headed and Gutted
Dressed
Fillets: skin-on
Fillets: skin-off
Surimi
Fish meal
GUT
HGU
DRE
FIL
SKF
SUR
MEA
1.10
1.50
1.80
2.50
3.10
4.30
5.60
A new, consolidated Fisheries (Conversion Factors) Notice is effective from 1 January 2006
(deferred originally from 1 December 2005). This Notice contains significant changes to how
most of the major principal landed states are defined and presented.
Background
In late 2004, the Ministry of Fisheries and the fishing industry, working collaboratively
through the Conversion Factors Working Group, began work on revisions to the principal
landed state definitions specified in the Gazette Notice.
This review was initiated for the following reasons:
x
Most definitions have not been reviewed since they were first introduced.
Some, such as the dressed and basic fillets definitions, date back to the
introduction of the Quota Management System in 1986. Processing techniques
and the composition of fishing fleets have changed considerably since then.
Revised definitions will help to bring the Gazette Notice into line with current
practice.
x
Some definitions are phrased in a way that, if applied strictly, may not allow
vessels to produce some types of product at sea.
x
More robust processed state definitions will provide clear guidance for
Licensed Fish Receivers (LFRs.) In order to apply the correct conversion
factor, LFRs receiving fish processed at sea need to be able to identify the state
to which it has been processed.
x
More robust definitions will assist in encouraging the maximisation of
recovery and provide incentives against discarding of fish.
x
Clear and unambiguous processed state definitions will help to reduce the risk
to Industry of MFish Compliance investigations.
MFish initially developed proposals for revised definitions in consultation with United States
ichthyologist Benjamin Victor. The Conversion Factors Working Group developed and
refined the proposed definitions through a number of drafts. The Working Group opted to
concentrate on the following processed states:
x
Dressed
x
Skin-on untrimmed fillets
x
Fillets: skin-on
x
Skin-on trimmed fillet
x
Skin-off fillet
x
Headed, gutted and tailed
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In developing the definitions, MFish and Industry worked with the following principles in
mind
x
The definitions should be kept as simple as possible. A bullet point style of
presentation was preferred.
x
Where possible, the aim was to specify what has to be left on the processed
fish, rather than what could be removed.
x
The definitions describe the minimum states for compliance. Fishers do not
have to process to that minimum state to comply with the definition.
x
That there be no change to landed state titles or reporting codes, in order to
minimise disruption to reporting systems
x
That the definitions would be supplemented by the development of
illustrations, to be incorporated as schedules to the Notice.
With respect to fillets, MFish proposed that there be three types of fillet states, each with
skin-on and skin-off options. The diagrams below show the maximum amount of trimming
permitted for each fillet type. For each type, the area within the red lines is the minimum
portion of the fish that must be left for it to comply with that processed state. Type 1 is
untrimmed, type 2 provides for removal of the belly flap, and type 3 allows more extensive
trimming for premium fillet products.
Type 1.
Type 2
Type 3
Table 2 shows how these fillet types relate to state descriptions and reporting codes. MFish
and Industry have not reached consensus on a revised definition for skin-off trimmed fillets
(TSK), a state that only applies to hoki and ling. The revised Notice will retain the existing
skin-off trimmed fillets definition. MFish anticipates working with Industry to achieve a
satisfactory regime for regulating production of premium hoki and ling fillet states.
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Table 2: Fillet states
State
Skin on untrimmed fillet
Fillet skin on
Fillet skin on
Fillet skin on
Fillet skin on
Skin on trimmed fillet
Skin-off fillet
Skin-off fillet
Skin-off fillet
Skin-off fillet
Skin-off trimmed fillet
Code
UTF
FIL
FIL
FIL
FIL
TRF
SKF
SKF
SKF
SKF
TSK
Species
Hoki, ling
Rattails, eels
Ghost sharks, elephant fish
Other sharks
other finfish
hoki, ling
Flatfish
Rattails, eels
Sharks, ghost sharks, elephant fish
Other finfish
hoki, ling
Type
1, skin-on
2, skin-on
2, skin-on
2, skin-on
2, skin-on
2, skin-on
2, skin-off
2, skin-off
2, skin-off
2, skin-off
3, skin-off
The only change to landed state codes will be the introduction of a new code for “wings”, in
relation to skates and rays, WRS. This will be promulgated in the Fisheries (Reporting)
Regulations as soon as possible. In the meantime fishers should continue to use the code FIL.
The processed state illustrations will be available free, on request from the Ministry of
Fisheries. The illustrations will be on disc, in PDF format. Vessel operators will be able to
print copies as required, for purposes such as for briefing staff and display in factories. If you
wish to receive a copy, please contact: Fisheries Operations, Ministry of Fisheries, P O Box
1020, Wellington, or phone (04) 470 2600.
Currently, there is not a complete set of illustrations for all species and states. Illustrations
will be added to the Notice as necessary, or as requested.
The above information is not produced for the purposes of giving any professional advice of
any nature. While the Ministry of Fisheries has used every effort to ensure that this document
is free from error or omission, and that the information in the publication is accurate, the
Ministry of Fisheries disclaims any and all responsibility or any liability for any error,
omission, interpretation or opinion which is contained in this publication so far as permitted
by law. And, without in any way limiting the former statement, the Ministry of Fisheries
disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the consequences of anything done or
omitted to be done by any person in reliance, in whole or in part, upon the whole or part of
this publication. Should any person require professional advice on conversion factors, they
are advised to seek independent legal advice.
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