FAQs

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What are baitfish?

June 26, 2025 Baitfish, also known as forage fish, are small, schooling fish that feed on phytoplankton (algae) and various small marine organisms. Common baitfish found in New Zealand include pilchards, mackerels, kōheru and anchovies.
Baitfish

Why are baitfish important?

June 26, 2025 While small, baitfish play a significant role in the marine environment and are the critical link in the food web. Baitfish are a vital food source for the entire coastal ecosystem including kahawai, kingfish, snapper, marine mammals, seabirds and other larger predatory fish.
Baitfish

What is the top harvested baitfish species in New Zealand?

June 26, 2025 Jack mackerel (JMA) makes up the highest proportion of all baitfish caught in New Zealand. In the 2023-24 fishing year more than 44,000 tonnes (40 million kilos) of jack mackerel were caught in New Zealand. Source – Fisheries New Zealand, Fisheries Assessment Plenary. May 2024. Page 653
Baitfish

Who decides which fish stocks are reviewed?

June 26, 2025 Fisheries New Zealand undertakes scientific stock assessments throughout the year for various fish stocks. Depending on what this shows, Fisheries NZ prioritises what fish stocks need to be reviewed and proposes various actions the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries may want to take to ensure sustainability. For example, If the assessment shows that abundance is ... Read more.
Fisheries Management

Is there anything sustainable about “sustainability reviews”?

June 26, 2025 No, it depends on your definition of “sustainable”.  Under the Quota Management System the stocks that get the most attention are usually the ones that are important to commercial interests. That means most effort is directed to delivering proposals that increase commercial catch limits, or churning out science that supports the maintenance of existing catch ... Read more.
Fisheries Management

What is a sustainability round?

June 26, 2025 Twice a year in April and October, Fisheries NZ changes the management for various fish stocks across the country. Before they make any changes Fisheries NZ issues a proposal paper and asks for submissions from interested parties, including the public, fishers, Māori interests and environmental interests. Everyone has to respond by a set deadline. These ... Read more.
Fisheries Management

Are there alternative fishing methods to bottom trawling?

June 19, 2025 Alternatives to trawling include long lining and trapping as they are more selective and less damaging to the marine environment. While these alternative methods may be more time consuming they generally deliver better quality fish which ought to attract a higher value return.
Fishing methods

What is LegaSea’s stance on bottom trawling?

June 19, 2025  Since 2012, LegaSea has advocated for the removal of bottom trawling and other destructive mobile, bottom-contact fishing methods such as Danish seining and dredging, from New Zealand’s inshore marine environment. LegaSea supports a transition to more selective harvest techniques.
Fishing methods

How much trawling occurs in New Zealand?

June 19, 2025 Between 2023 and 2024, the total area trawled in New Zealand’s inshore and deepwater fisheries is equivalent to more than 168,000 square kilometres. That’s the same as dragging nets across the equivalent of 22 million rugby fields, every year. The total area trawled each year in the inshore fishery has been declining since 2018. Source ... Read more.
Fishing methods

What marine life is caught by bottom trawling?

June 19, 2025 Some of the most common species targeted by inshore bottom trawlers includes snapper, gurnard, tarakihi and john dory. The non-targeted lower value species, commonly referred to as ‘bycatch’ can include spiny dogfish, seafloor dwelling organisms, molluscs, occasionally dolphins and various other species. It’s important to note that targeted and unwanted species caught by bottom trawlers ... Read more.
Fishing methods | Fisheries Management