New Zealand’s fisheries continue to be well managed

Friday, 5 May 2017, 9:30 am
Press Release: Seafood New Zealand

May 5, 2017

New Zealand’s fisheries continue to be well managed

The overwhelming majority of New Zealand’s commercial fisheries are performing well, according to MPI’s latest stock assessments.

The Status of New Zealand’s Fisheries report for 2016 released this week shows a record percentage of the tonnage and value of landings of scientifically evaluated stocks have no sustainability issues.

The report shows ninety seven percent of scientifically evaluated landings were from stocks above or well above sustainable levels, Seafood New Zealand chief executive Tim Pankhurst said.

“The figures show that New Zealand continues to be a world leader in fisheries management,” he said.

The information from the stocks report is gathered through a series of Fisheries Assessment Working Group meetings that are open to the public.

During the meetings, MPI evaluated presentations that combine scientific research with catch and effort reports, data from the on-board observer programme, and other information used to produce fish stock assessments.

“The main conclusion from these results is that by far the majority of New Zealand’s fisheries are performing well,” the report stated.

Recent stock assessments also highlight how sensible and sustainable management can have lasting benefits for our fisheries, Pankhurst said.

“From 2001-2007 there was substantial reductions in hoki quotas.

“Due to this sensible management, both east and west hoki stocks have increased annually over the past eight years and are now the highest they have been this century.”

Click here to download the report.

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