Fish to Fish Another Day

New Zealand's sustainable fisheries management regime combines a quota system, pursuit of innovative fishing, environmental mitigation techniques and a commitment from fishermen to continually find new ways to preserve and replenish the ocean habitats they depend on for their livelihoods.

The industry supports the quota management system as a highly effective way to make sure that harvests are sustainable and fishery stocks rebuilt. Evidence of this is seen in the recovery of key snapper, scallop, and rock lobster fisheries.

Managing the Environment

Food cannot be produced or harvested without some impact on the environment, but as a responsible steward of the seas, the industry contributes to managing the ocean's resources to sustain the marine environment. That means balancing activities to gain the maximum benefit while actively minimising negative impacts.

Effective and principled management of the environmental impacts of fishing is a critical success factor for the seafood industry. Consumers around the world increasingly choose seafood that comes from sustainable fisheries.  Expectations of 'good global citizenship' demand that everyone shares responsibility for protecting and sustaining their unique ocean and fisheries' habitats. Ensuring that fishing and its effects are environmentally sustainable is an integral part of the industry's daily practices.

New technology and techniques enable fish to be targeted selectively and fishing gear controlled to minimise impact with the seabed and contact with other animals including marine mammals and sea birds.

The New Zealand seafood industry invests considerable resources into ongoing research to better understand marine ecosystems, fish species, fish stocks, and the impacts of fishing and aquaculture operations in the marine environment.

The results have lead to innovative practices and more cost-effective production through, for example, the enhancement of shellfish fisheries and the adjustment of minimum size limits and catching seasons to maximise quality, meet demand, and ensure sustainability.

There has also been a huge effort by the entire industry to reduce by-catch of marine mammals and sea birds as well as to lessen impacts on the aquatic food chain and benthic communities of other marine and non-fish species; to reduce marine pollution; and to prevent the possible introduction and spread of foreign marine species.

Incidental by-catch

© NZ Seafood Industry Council

New Zealand's commercial fishing is governed by regulations and voluntary codes of practice to reduce the incidence of accidental by-catch. Fishing boats operate in a way that ensures that birds and marine mammals are discouraged from interacting with, and are protected from, the activity of fishing.

Over the last 10 years, fishermen worldwide have focused on reducing the incidental by-catch of marine mammals (dolphins, seals, and sea lions) and sea birds (such as albatrosses and petrels) in commercial fishing operations. Fishing boats have the same appeal to sea birds and marine mammals as an ice-cream van has to eight-year-old children. Large quantities of fish, trapped and ready for their predators, or the smell of fish offal may not be appealing to us, but to sea lions or petrels it is irresistible.

For fishermen, it is upsetting to harm a marine animal. Their intention is to catch fish. The marine mammals and birds around them are familiar and respected. Historically, albatrosses have been revered and valued by sea-goers and causing the death of one has always been considered bad luck.

In New Zealand the seafood industry has been determined to reduce the accidental by-catch of sea birds and marine mammals. The industry has led many initiatives such as the development and use of voluntary codes of practice and development of fishing gear modifications to mitigate the risk of by-catch and accidental captures. For in-shore fishing, these measures include voluntary closures around fish breeding grounds or dolphin habitats, use of 'pingers' on nets to deter dolphins, codes of practice, gear modifications and practical mitigation measures, for example, to scare off seabirds.