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Customary Fisheries | Fisheries Management | maximum sustainable yield | QMS | Economics | Fishing | Rescue Fish | Environment | Fishing methods | Recreational Fishing | Fishcare | customary | Kahawai | Reform scam | Baitfish | Scallops | Crayfish | WRC decision
September 1, 2025
In October 2024, Fisheries NZ conducted a camera and dredge survey to estimate scallop abundance across key scallop beds in the Coromandel scallop fishery. The survey findings provided evidence of some localised scallop population recovery since the last surveys in 2021 in Eastern Coromandel and in Whangarei Harbour, but there was no evidence of recovery ... Read more.
September 1, 2025
It is dependent as to whether Fisheries NZ and the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries support the community-led restoration plan. If it’s agreed upon by all stakeholders, the Plan would be implemented as soon as possible, so once the fishery recovers, there is a clear pathway in place to allow for sustainable harvest of scallops.
July 18, 2025
Recreational fishers typically catch less than 5% of the total amount of fish caught annually from commercial fishers in New Zealand. This figure can slightly differ year by year. For example in 2023, recreational fishers took home less than 2% of the total fish caught by commercial fishers. Sources: 2022-23 National Panel Survey 2017-18 National ... Read more.
July 18, 2025
According the the 2022-23 National Panel Survey, the most popular take-home species that Kiwis catch within our coastal fisheries are snapper, kahawai, blue cod and red gurnard. 2022-23 National Panel Survey
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
