The first study of its kind, by Bangor University (Wales) with collaborating research institutes, published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) builds on recent international collaboration. It brings together data from 24 large marine regions around the world to establish a relationship between distribution and intensity of trawling activities and the biological state of seabeds.
About: Deepwater Group
Recent Posts by Deepwater Group
Benthic Protection Areas are Marine Protected Areas
Deepwater Group's letter to New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) on why New Zealand's Benthic Protection Areas are internationally-recognised as Marine Protected Areas:
"Dear Nick,
We write in response to the email you distributed this week to the NZMSS members on behalf of WWF-NZ.
We ask...
more...
Sustainability of NZ fisheries independently verified
Seventeen New Zealand fisheries harvesting hoki, hake, ling and southern blue whiting have been re-certified against the gold standard for sustainable seafood, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
Hoki Skins for Wrinkle Cream
Daryl Crimp Cartoon: Hoki Skins for Wrinkle Cream
... Keeping our coastlines clean
Keeping our coastlines clean
Published: 25 July 2018
Some 16.6 tonnes of rubbish was removed from Stewart Island’s coastline in this year’s coastal clean-up.
The Stewart Island clean-up began in 2014 when thirty volunteers over three days removed 20 tonnes...
Proposed TACC Changes for 1 October 2018
Proposed TACC Changes for 1 October 2018
Published: 25 July 2018
Most of New Zealand’s commercial fisheries appear to be in good shape, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) latest sustainability round.
Proposed TACC (Total Allowable Commercial Catch) changes...
Skipper of the Month – Stephan Fridell
Skipper of the Month - Stephan Fridell
Published: 27 June 2018
After 40 days at sea and even longer away from his family, just moments after setting foot on dry land, Skipper Stephan Fridell received just what every Dad would be longing for – a huge bear hug from his two children....
Participating in reducing plastic pollution
Participating in reducing plastic pollution
Published: 27 June 2018
The New Zealand seafood industry is at the forefront of sustainable and environmentally responsible seafood, but, along with other industries, recognises the contribution it must make to combat plastic pollution in the marine environment.
Road Show rolls to a close, for this year…
Road Show rolls to a close, for this year…
Fifteen ports later, the Code of Conduct road show has rolled to a close.
Seafood New Zealand’s Tim Pankhurst and Lesley Hamilton along with Fisheries Inshore New Zealand’s Jeremy Helson have presented to fishermen and women at Nelson, Greymouth, New Plymouth,... Feds Conference Highlights Sound Environmental Progress
eds Conference Highlights Sound Environmental Progress
Published: 27 June 2018 There was a lot to celebrate at the recent Federation of Commercial Fishermen’s Conference in Nelson, not least that this fine organisation had reached the grand old age of 60.
In times where the industry is under fire by environmental... More breeding albatrosses at remote Snares Islands
An annual southern Buller's albatross census on the Snares Islands has been successful with more breeding pairs counted and banded.
These remote islands, 120 km south of Stewart Island, are home to the main breeding grounds for this endemic albatross.
The survey was undertaken by scientist Paul Sagar, who like many... Orange roughy fisheries certified as sustainable
Orange roughy fisheries certified as sustainable
Press Release: 9 December 2016, Minister Nathan Guy and Ministry for Primary Industries
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed certification of several orange roughy fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
“This is a great success and recognition for a fishery that was in real trouble...
NGO declares: ‘the MSC officially became a sham’
NGO declares: 'the MSC officially became a sham'
Published: 9 Dec 2016
Press Release: Intrafish Media
A group of NGOs is coming out against the new Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of the New Zealand orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) fishery.
Around 60 percent of the total catch...
The Story of New Zealand Orange Roughy
The story of New Zealand orange roughy: From the “poster child” of unsustainable fishing to Marine Stewardship Council assessment.
By P.L. Cordue and originally published on CFOOD. Published: 9 December 2016 In the late 1970s, a “huge” new fisheries resource was discovered in deep water on the north Chatham Rise. In the early days, there was somewhat...New Zealand Orange Roughy Gets Top International Sustainability Tick
New Zealand Orange Roughy Gets Top International Sustainability Tick
Press Release: Seafood New Zealand and Deepwater Group, December 9, 2016
New Zealand’s three largest orange roughy fisheries have been certified as meeting the international gold standard for sustainable fishing by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) (MSC release).
Sanford’s Move From Volume to Value Helps Boost Profit 152%
Sanford’s Move From Volume to Value Helps Boost Profit 152%
Press Release: Sanford Limited 17 November 2016
Sanford Limited (NZX:SAN) has today posted a 152% increase in net profit after tax to $34.7m for the year ended 30 September.
The Group posted an 85.5% increase in reported EBIT to $57.7m, with revenue up $13.2m...
The Seafood Industry Supports Huge Antarctic Marine Reserve
The Seafood Industry Supports Huge Antarctic Marine Reserve
Published: 4 November 2016
The declaration of the Ross Sea marine reserve demonstrates protection, conservation, and sustainable commercial fishing can go hand in hand.
Agreement to progress with the world’s largest marine...
The Seafood Industry Improves Its Environmental Performance
The Seafood Industry Improves Its Environmental Performance
Published: 2 November 2016
A recent Government report shows that the environmental impacts from New Zealand commercial fishing have been reduced.
Releasing the report Our Marine Environment 2016, Secretary for the Environment Vicky...
DWG Submits on New Zealand Sea Lion Threat Management Plan
The New Zealand sea lion Threat Management Plan (TMP) was sought by the Minister of Conservation and the Minister for Primary Industries in 2014 in response to an ongoing trend of decline in sea lion pup numbers at the Auckland Islands. You can find out more about... Marine biodiversity needs more than protection
Marine biodiversity needs more than protection
To sustain the seas, advocates of marine protected areas and those in fisheries management must work together, not at cross purposes, urges Ray Hilborn.
Reposted from Nature Magazine, 13 July 2016
On 1 September, government leaders, directors of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others will meet in Hawaii...
Attacks on the seafood industry lack scientific credibility
Attacks on the seafood industry lack scientific credibility
Published: 1 June 2016
It is not possible to have a sensible science-based discussion around the Simmons report (Simmons et al 2016) because the data and methods used remain unclear.
For science to be of value to society it must be...
Rigorous scientific assessment of orange roughy fisheries in final stage
Rigorous scientific assessment of orange roughy fisheries in final stage
Published: 20 January 2016
Orange roughy seen from AOS: Being able to see in real time 1,000 m below the surface, scientist can now assess the number of orange roughy...
Revolutionary new trawling method improves quality of catch
Revolutionary new trawling method improves quality of catch
Published: 19 August 2015
A revolutionary new sustainable trawling method is showing great potential for increasing the value of New Zealand’s fisheries by more than $43 million per year by 2025, industry leaders heard in Wellington today.
The Precision Seafood...
Seizing the global opportunities for New Zealand seafood
Seizing the global opportunities for New Zealand seafood
Published: 19 August 2015
The growing global demand for environmentally sustainable, natural, healthy food offers great opportunities for the New Zealand seafood industry, Seafood New Zealand Chairman George Clement says.
Speaking at the New Zealand Seafood Industry Conference in Wellington today,...
Min Guy’s speech to the Seafood New Zealand 2015 Conference
Speech to the Seafood New Zealand 2015 Conference
Published: 19 August 2015
Speech by Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries.
"Thank you for the invitation to open the 2015 New Zealand Seafood Industry Conference.
Your industry is vital to the economy, especially regional economies, directly providing 8000 jobs and...
Government to review fisheries management
Government to review fisheries management
Published: 19 August 2015
The Government has embarked on an operational review of New Zealand's fisheries management, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced today.
Speaking to 250 delegates at the Seafood New Zealand annual conference in Wellington, Guy said it could result in changes to...
New Zealand fish stocks performing well
New Zealand fish stocks performing well
Published: 19 August 2015
New Zealand’s fisheries are performing well overall, Dr Pamela Mace, the Principal Advisor Fisheries Science, with the Ministry for Primary Industries said today.
She was providing an update on the status of New Zealand’s marine fisheries at the New...