Category Archives: Press Release

Reduced NZ seabird catch results presented at ACAP

A study showing the number of seabirds captured in the New Zealand deepwater fishery has decreased markedly in the last decade was presented to an international forum on May 15.
Experts from around the world are meeting in Edinburgh to discuss the latest developments in reducing accidental seabird captures in fishing gear. A paper presented by the New Zealand Deepwater Council’s Ben Steele-Mortimer shows the number of seabirds caught in the southern squid trawl fishery, verified by Ministry for Primary Industries independent observers, has halved in the 10 years to 2020.

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Orange roughy fishery re-certified as sustainable

Deepwater Group praises industry’s science investment, encourages more government research.
New Zealand’s three largest orange roughy fisheries have again exceeded the very high standards required to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.

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New Zealand fisheries highly sustainable

Government research continues to show that New Zealand’s fisheries are highly sustainable and fish stocks are healthy, with 94% of the catch coming from stocks with no sustainability risks.

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New Zealand fishers call for fact-based decisions on trawling

New Zealand fishers call for fact-based decisions on trawling

New Zealand deepwater fishing representatives say a petition by eNGOs delivered to Parliament’s environment select committee today calling for a ban on trawling seamounts is misinformed.

Deepwater Group CEO George Clement says: “It’s frustrating hearing certain groups espousing mis-truths about bottom... more...

NZ’s First Sustainable Seafood Week

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is launching New Zealand’s first-ever Sustainable Seafood Week to celebrate the leadership of MSC certified fisheries in Aotearoa while empowering Kiwis to choose sustainable seafood to ensure we have seafood for generations to come.

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October round of fisheries decisions

Catch limits will be increased for 26 fisheries and reduced for three fisheries as part of a regular round of reviews designed to ensure ongoing sustainability of fisheries resources.

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Kiwi seafood companies collaborate to help iwi

Top-quality seafood has been slashed in price in an effort to support iwi during COVID-19. Sealord and Moana New Zealand have been providing their products at discounted prices – up to 70 percent off their retail value – with iwi purchasing the product in large quantities to distribute them to whanau for free.

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Changes to Sea lion protections in Auckland Islands

New Zealand sea lions are a national taonga. They were hunted to near extinction in the 1800s, but have been recovering since hunting was prohibited. Their threat classification has recently been upgraded from Nationally Critical to Nationally Vulnerable to reflect signs of population recovery, says Fisheries New Zealand Director of Fisheries Management, Stuart Anderson.

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Orange roughy stocks continue recovery

Two orange roughy fisheries – one in the Tasman, the other centred in the Pacific and the sub-Antarctic – received substantial quota increases in the sustainability round that came into effect on 1 October 2019, the start of the new fishing year.

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Fisheries decisions ensure sustainability

Press release from New Zealand Government Hon Stuart Nash, Minister of Fisheries. Friday 27 September 2019


Commercial catch limits for tarakihi will be reduced by a further 10 per cent as part of a package of measures to ensure sustainability of a number of fish stocks around the country.

Seafood sustainability improves and meets international standards

The Environment Aotearoa Report 2019, released today by the Ministry for the Environment and StatsNZ, shows the environmental performance of New Zealand’s seafood industry has improved markedly. Recognition of this is welcomed by the Deepwater Group, representing the deepwater seafood sector including quota owners harvesting hoki, hake, ling, southern blue whiting, squid, jack mackerel, orange roughy...
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BPAs and MPAs – Is There a Difference?

New Zealand’s Benthic Protection Areas (BPAs) are internationally-recognised as a type of Marine Protected Area (MPA).  The IUCN recognises seven categories of MPAs and BPAs meet Category VI.

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MSC validates New Zealand seafood sustainability

With seventeen New Zealand fisheries recertified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in September, some 50 percent of New Zealand’s wild marine catch now holds this gold standard of sustainability...

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New Zealand hoki quota owners proactively choosing to reduce catch

New Zealand hoki quota owners proactively choosing to reduce catch

Published: 26 September 2018

Quota owners in the New Zealand hoki fishing industry have announced today they have proactively chosen to reduce the amount of hoki they will catch next year, in response to changing patterns they are observing in one of the...

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Increased catches from deepwater fisheries supported by science

Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash today (19/9/2018) announced his decisions on changes to fisheries catch limits from 1 October 2018.

Thirty-two catch limits were reviewed in this sustainability round.

Four deepwater fisheries were reviewed and each had their Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) limits increased, decisions supported by the best available science.

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The Squid Fishery and New Zealand Sea Lions

The Squid Fishery and New Zealand Sea Lions

Published: 28 August 2018

What’s causing the decline of sea lions? And what’s the remedy?

The New Zealand sea lion population at Auckland Islands (Figure 1) is assessed to have declined from around...

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Leaked Risk Profile Reports Show MPI is Effectively Monitoring Fisheries Compliance

Leaked Risk Profile Reports Show MPI is Effectively Monitoring Fisheries Compliance

Published: 8 June 2018

Summary

  • Two confidential internal Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) reports that profiled compliance risks in the hoki and southern blue whiting fisheries during 2011 and 2012 were leaked to the media.
  • Media reports claim that these reports reveal wholesale misreporting in these...
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The definitive word on the leaked fisheries reports from MPI

The definitive word on the leaked fisheries reports from MPI

Published: 1 June 2018

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced that it is releasing historical reports dealing with compliance risk profiling of the southern blue whiting fishery.

In this video, MPI's manager of compliance investigations, Gary...

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Fisheries New Zealand launched

Fisheries New Zealand launched

Published: 16 May 2018

The newly launched Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) will focus on stakeholder engagement and innovation.

That was the message from the business unit’s new head Dan Bolger and Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash at the launch...

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Ocean Bounty season two underway

Ocean Bounty season two underway

Published: 16 May 2018

Ocean Bounty, an hour-long documentary series on commercial fishing, began its second season on 13 May.

It's a 13 episode series that screens on Three at 5pm each Sunday.

Hosted by Graeme...

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Majority of New Zealand’s wild-caught seafood MSC certified as sustainable

Majority of New Zealand’s wild-caught seafood MSC certified as sustainable

Published: 14 May 2018

With half of New Zealand’s total seafood production certified to the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) sustainability standard and 70 percent of the deep water catch certified, New Zealand’s Deepwater Group (DWG) welcomes yesterday’s inaugural...

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OpenSeas playbook launched

OpenSeas playbook launched

Published: 24 April 2018

OpenSeas has released a playbook on the programme.

The comprehensive guide aims to help New Zealand seafood companies understand the range of tools available and find ways to best utilise the programme within their businesses.

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Southern blue whiting TACC gets big bump

Southern blue whiting TACC gets big bump

Published: 24 April 2018

Fishing for southern blue whiting at the Bounty Platform has been given a significant boost.

The Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) for SBW 6B has been...

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DWG collaborates with DOC to conserve sea lions

DWG collaborates with DOC to conserve sea lions

Published: 26 March 2018

Scientists are using GPS technology and remote cameras to help them to better understand how to prevent New Zealand sea lion pups dying on Campbell Island.

They also tested the use of a drone to count sea...

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Fishermen endorse Industry Code of Conduct

Fishermen endorse Industry Code of Conduct

Published: 26 March 2018

Commercial fishermen have reinforced their support for the industry Code of Conduct.

The code was developed by Seafood New Zealand and endorsed by New Zealand’s major fishing companies to reinforce last year’s Promise media campaign.

The code is being taken...

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New technology deployed to prevent sea lion pup deaths

New technology deployed to prevent sea lion pup deaths

Published: 23 February 2018

Scientists from the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Deepwater Group (DWG) say GPS technology and remote cameras are helping them better understand how to prevent sea lion pups from dying on the subantarctic...

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MSC making changes

MSC making changes

Published: 21 February 2018

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is constantly reviewing and refining its standards and certification requirements.  Deepwater Group is an active participant in these reviews and, alongside others from MSC-certified fisheries, is focussed on ensuring any changes are backed by science and...

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Environmental organisations unsure how science works

Environmental organisations unsure how science works

Published: 21 February 2018

Recent attacks from environmental organisations on the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and New Zealand’s seafood industry have reached a new level of banality and predictability.

As MSC continues to succeed and to certify more and more of the well...

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Seafood industry welcomes considered approach to cameras on vessels

Seafood industry welcomes considered approach to cameras on vessels

Published: 14 February 2018

The New Zealand seafood industry has welcomed confirmation by Stuart Nash, the Fisheries Minister, that the Government is reconsidering a proposal to install cameras on all commercial fishing vessels.

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Fishing industry dismisses claim fishery should not be certified sustainable

Fishing industry dismisses claim fishery should not be certified sustainable

Published: 26 January 2018

Accusations that the fishing industry is responsible for any population decrease of Salvin’s albatross are untrue and has been dismissed by Deepwater Group chief executive, George Clement.

[caption id="attachment_6081" align="alignnone" width="604"] more...

Japan and NZ collaborate on seabirds

Japan and NZ collaborate on seabirds

Published: 19 December 2017

New Zealand seabird experts met with a group from Japan to share information on seabird mitigation and bycatch in November.

Five scientists from Japan's National Research Institute for Far Seas Fisheries met with various people closely involved in seabird...

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Changes needed to recreational fisheries management – report

Changes needed to recreational fisheries management - report

Published: 18 December 2017

Peak bodies and recreational reporting were the big talking points when the New Zealand Initiative launched The Future Catch in Wellington.

The report pushes for the establishment of an organisation to represent recreational fishers, in similar vein...

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New dedicated fisheries entity announced

New dedicated fisheries entity announced

Published: 18 December 2017

A new fisheries-dedicated unit has been announced by the Government.

The Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) functions are being reset, with four new portfolio-based entities announced, including Fisheries New Zealand, Forestry New Zealand, Biosecurity New Zealand and New Zealand Food...

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A decade delivering sustainability

A decade delivering sustainability

Published: 18 December 2017

Deepwater Group (DWG) celebrated more than ten years delivering healthy fisheries at their recent annual general meeting.

Established in 2005, DWG was a merger of the hoki, squid and orange roughy management companies, with a mandate for delivering the best-managed deepwater...

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Public perception of fisheries management at odds with international reputation – TNC

Public perception of fisheries management at odds with international reputation - TNC

Published: 16 November 2017

New Zealand fisheries’ Quota Management System (QMS) is being presented as an international example by a prominent US-based conservation group. 

The long established The... more...

Research project to save sea lion pups

Research project to save sea lion pups

Published: 16 November 2017

Mud holes at Campbell Island (Blue Planet Marine, 2015)

Deepwater Group is funding a novel research project as a part of a field trip to monitor sea lion...

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IEMRS being slowed down

IEMRS being slowed down

Published: 15 November 2017

Commercial fishers are welcoming the announcement that the implementation of the Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System (IEMRS) will be slowed down.

Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash said he has instructed Ministry for Primary Industries...

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Commercial fishermen support getting digital monitoring right

Commercial fishermen support getting digital monitoring right

Published: 14 November 2017

Deepwater Group, which represent commercial fishermen in New Zealand’s deep-water fisheries, support the Labour Government’s decision to slow down the implementation of IEMRS (Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System) to ensure... more...

Large-scale changes bring opportunity for further collaboration

Large-scale changes bring opportunity for further collaboration

Published: 17 October 2017

[caption id="attachment_5976" align="alignnone" width="604"] Photograph by Peter Marriott/NIWA[/caption]

The seafood industry and the Ministry for Primary Industries continue to collaborate during the rollout of the Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System (IEMRS).

The...

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Seabird experts flock to Wellington

Seabird experts flock to Wellington

Published: 17 October 2017

 

Seabird experts migrated to New Zealand from throughout the world last month to discuss the most recent developments in science and conservation.

For two weeks, Wellington was home to the Agreement on the...

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Fish stocks on the rise

Fish stocks on the rise

Published: 17 October 2017

Increased biomass in red gurnard and orange roughy fisheries has seen a rise in catch limits.

The Ministry for Primary Industries announced the adjustments as part of their twice-yearly fisheries sustainability review.

The orange...

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Another orange roughy success story

Another orange roughy success story

Published: 22 September 2017

An orange roughy fishery south of Stewart Island has been given the green light to reopen after 19 years.

In 1998, the seafood... more...

Update on Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System

Update on IEMRS

Published: 15 September 2017

Progress is being made with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) towards the considered and staged implementation of Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System (IEMRS).

MPI’s high level objectives - to verify self-reporting of catches, to collect more information on catches, and...

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Seabird Smart Award winners announced

Seabird Smart Award winners announced

Published: 15 September 2017

A fleet of West Coast surface long liners has been awarded the 2017 Seabird Smart Award.

Altair Fishing Ltd was crowned for their commitment to seabird mitigation across their five vessels.

Chair of the Southern Seabird Solutions Trust Bill Mansfield said...

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Orange roughy biomass surveys completed

Orange roughy biomass surveys completed

Published: 9 August 2017

[caption id="attachment_5853" align="alignnone" width="604"] New Zealand orange roughy[/caption]

Two acoustic biomass surveys of orange roughy were successfully completed in June-July 2017.

These surveys were the result of a collaborative effort between government, scientists and industry.

The...

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Seafood assurance programme launched

Seafood assurance programme launched

Published: 9 August 2017

The New Zealand seafood industry now has a one-stop source for information.

OpenSeas is a third-party verified, broad-based transparency initiative designed to enable customers of New Zealand seafood, primarily international customers, a single, comprehensive source of information about the environmental, social...

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Collaborative conservation a success at seafood conference

Collaborative conservation a success at NZ Seafood Industry conference

Published: 9 August 2017

Collaborative conservation was high on the agenda at the New Zealand Seafood Industry conference in Wellington last week.

Speakers noted the success of the ongoing work between fishers, iwi, scientists, conservation groups and government to protect...

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One-stop source for New Zealand seafood information launched

One-stop source for New Zealand seafood information launched

Published: 3 August 2017

OpenSeas website

A one-stop source for information on New Zealand seafood was launched at the New Zealand Seafood Industry conference in Wellington... more...

Seafood exports set to top $2 billion

Seafood exports set to top $2 billion

Published: 3 August 2017

Seafood exports are predicted to hit a record $2 billion annually by 2020.

That is according to the Ministry for Primary Industries 2017 Situation and Outlook report.

Export revenue... more...

Smart management to pay off for fishers

Smart management to pay off for fishers

Published: 12 July 2017

After nearly 20 years of closure by industry, another orange roughy stock, this time off the bottom of the South Island, is about to be re-opened to fishing.

The catch limit...

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Deepwater Group welcomes New Zealand Sea Lion Threat Management Plan

Deepwater Group welcomes New Zealand Sea Lion Threat Management Plan

Published: 3 July 2017

The Deepwater Group, which represents New Zealand’s deepwater fishing sector, welcomes the New Zealand Sea Lion Threat Management Plan released today by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and... more...

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...
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Hoki stocks highest this century

Hoki stocks highest this century

Published: 7 June 2017

Decreases in hoki quota during the 2000s are paying dividends with large increases in both stocks over the last eight years.

These increases were outlined in the Ministry for Primary Industries recently-released report The...

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More breeding albatrosses at remote Snares Islands

More breeding albatrosses at remote Snares Islands

Published: 7 June 2017

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...

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Seafood industry welcomes funding for endangered sea lions

The announcement today that the Government will contribute $2.8 million over four years to fund further research into the mortality of sea lions has been welcomed by the seafood industry.

Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister, Maggie Barry made the announcement a short time ago, and acknowledged the fishing...

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International fisheries scientists meet in Nelson to share world-leading ideas

International fisheries scientists meet in Nelson to share world-leading ideas

Press release: Deepwater Group Ltd, 3 April 2017

Scientists from more than 20 countries are meeting in Nelson this week for an international conference to discuss the latest advances in fisheries technology.

This is the first time the global organisation ICES (International Council...

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Seafood industry funds conservation expedition to Snares Islands

Seafood industry funds conservation expedition to Snares Islands

Press release: Deepwater Group Ltd, 31 March 2017

A science expedition led by Paul Sagar is setting off to the Snares Islands for an annual survey of Southern Buller’s albatross, and while there also collecting Skua seabird poo for the Department of Conservation (DOC).

The...

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Sustainable New Zealand Seafood Promoted

Sustainable New Zealand Seafood Promoted

Press release: Deepwater Group Ltd, 31 March 2017

Australians are being told to choose New Zealand seafood on Sustainable Seafood Day, which will be celebrated on 31 March throughout Australia. This is because over 50% of New Zealand’s wild catch is now certified as sustainable by the...

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Deepwater Group welcomes Kermadec research

Deepwater Group welcomes Kermadec research

Press release: Deepwater Group Ltd, 16 February 2017

The discoveries of new species made by NIWA on a 20-day scientific voyage to the remote Kermadec region have been welcomed by deep sea fishers, who encourage further scientific exploration of this vast untouched ocean northeast of New...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

ross-sea-mpa

Agreement to progress with the world’s largest marine...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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New Zealand steps up support for international shark conservation

New Zealand has boosted the protection of sharks by signing the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks. Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry have signed the agreement today which aims to improve the conservation of seven migratory shark species vulnerable to over-exploitation. “This international memorandum is the first global...
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Scientists probe complex causes of NZ sea lion decline

A tiny community of New Zealand sea lions on the Otago Peninsula is helping scientists solve the mystery of why some populations are doing better than others. There are thought to be only 10,000 New Zealand sea lions left, and pup production at the main breeding population in the Auckland Islands has declined by half since...
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Talley’s trawler to assess orange roughy stocks

Talley’s Amaltal Explorer embarks from Nelson tomorrow with leading edge technology on board to assess orange roughy stocks off the West Coast and bottom of the South Island. The two areas to be surveyed have been closed to orange roughy fishing since 1998 to encourage numbers to rebuild to a healthy and optimum level. These surveys will...
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Seafood industry supports efforts to save Auckland Islands’ sea lions

The seafood industry actively supports measures to conserve the Auckland Islands sea lion, Seafood New Zealand Chairman George Clement says. His comments follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgrading the sea lions’ status from vulnerable to endangered. “The decline in the sea lion population at the Auckland Islands has been a cause of concern...
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MSC sustainable seafood

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) today celebrated 15 years of MSC certified seafood and recognised the ‘leaders for living oceans’ that are driving growth and success in the sustainable seafood market. MSC certified fisheries now catch 8.8 million tonnes of MSC certified seafood per year, accounting for close to 10% of the total global wild-capture. With...
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The New Zealand Seafood Industry has lost a titan

The New Zealand seafood industry has lost a titan with the death of Philip Vela. “Philip Vela was an early pioneer in the development of the hoki, orange roughy, tuna and squid fisheries. He continued to be a major player and innovator in New Zealand fisheries – a business where only the strongest of the strong...
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Sustainability is a ‘must-have,’ says MSC

Fifteen years ago, when the world’s first fishery earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, sustainability in seafood was a relatively new concept. Then it became a buzzword. Today, “guaranteed sustainability is a requirement,” said Nicolas Guichoux, MSC global commercial director. “All of that happened because some companies decided that sustainability, like price and quality, was a...
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NZ orange roughy exports accelerate as fish stocks recover

New Zealand orange roughy exports are accelerating as catch limits of the deepwater fish, once a poster child for bad fisheries management, increase amid confidence about improving stocks. Exports of the slow-growing fish, which can live for up to 130 years, rose 6.9 percent to a three-year high of $36.5 million last year, according to Statistics...
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CHATHAM ROCK MINING DECISION A WIN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SAYS SEAFOOD INDUSTRY

The seafood industry applauded the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) decision to turn down Chatham Rock Phosphate’s (CRP) application to mine the Chatham Rise area, a key fishing ground for New Zealand. “The EPA’s decision recognises that seabed mining is a relatively new industry which has many uncertainties, and that this was a risk not worth taking...
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EPA refuses marine consent application by Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has refused an application by Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (CRP) for a marine consent to mine phosphorite nodules on the Chatham Rise.

The decision, which was made by a Decision-making Committee (DMC) appointed by the EPA Board, was released this morning.

EPA General Manager Applications & Assessment Sarah Gardner...

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NZ orange roughy fishery seeks 3rd party sustainability certification

Three of New Zealand's orange roughy fisheries have entered the lengthy and rigorous Marine Stewardship Council sustainability assessment process. New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industry and the industry association the Deepwater Group have been working together for the past ten years to better manage and rebuild the orange roughy stocks, and are now looking to measure...
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New Zealand’s fish stocks in healthy state heading into 2015

Consumers can look forward to plenty of tasty and nutritious seafood this year with New Zealand fish stocks in good shape. “The status of our stocks over the 2014 year showed some marked improvements according to the Ministry for Primary Industries figures and point to the conclusion that ‘by far the majority of New Zealand’s fisheries...
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NEW ZEALAND SEAFOOD – THE KIWI CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

Seafood New Zealand is encouraging New Zealanders to put our sustainable seafood on their tables this Christmas. Kaimoana is a massive part of New Zealand tradition, and our seafood comes from one of the best fisheries management systems in the world. “Families looking to fill their plates with fresh and healthy local produce this Christmas cannot go...
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Closure of hearing on Chatham Rock Phosphate application

The hearing on the marine consent application by Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd (CRP) has been closed by the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Decision-making Committee. The Committee now has 20 working days to make its decision. Due to the Christmas period, a decision is expected to be made early next year. The hearing was adjourned by the Committee...
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Primary industry export forecasts revised

Dairy export revenue will be down this year, but the drop will be partly offset by better-than-expected growth in other primary sectors, according to revised forecasts from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). MPI released today a mid-year update on forecasts from its Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries 2014 (SOPI 2014), which was released in...
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Free Trade Agreement with Korea disappointing for New Zealand seafood

The so-called free trade deal with Korea excludes frozen squid, which will continue to suffer a 22 percent tariff. The FTA announced by Prime Minister John Key at the weekend is overall disappointing for seafood, according to Seafood New Zealand chief executive Tim Pankhurst. “While there are some improved trading conditions for some seafood in the first...
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Seafood Important for Growing Minds and Bodies

It pays not to shy away from seafood when pregnant, with some seafood providing health benefits to both expectant mums and their babies. Prioritising higher fish consumption in pregnant women and young children is among the key dietary recommendations of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Committee on World Food Security. (The FAO Committee on World...
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SEAFOOD INDUSTRY WELCOMES COLLABORATIVE ACTION FOR BLACK PETREL

The seafood industry is backing seabird protection. Seafood New Zealand today welcomed the collaborative efforts of the Black Petrel Working Group to develop means of reducing the risk to this threatened seabird from fishing. “Our industry sees real value in collaborating with organisations to find long-term and effective solutions in how we protect marine wildlife, including seabirds,”...
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Fishing Innovation Recognised

Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH), a revolutionary fishing method, was presented with the Supreme New Zealand Innovator award, chosen from all categories and given to the best overall entry. PSH also won the Innovation in Sustainability and Clean Tech award. Idealog People’s Choice was awarded to Snap Information Technologies, who have developed an integrated video observation unit...
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Nathan Guy Welcomed Back by Seafood Industry

Seafood New Zealand welcomes the return of Hon Nathan Guy as Minister for Primary Industries. Seafood chief executive, Tim Pankhurst, congratulated Minister Guy on his appointment which was announced by the Prime Minister this morning. “We have developed a very good working relationship with Mr Guy and look forward to meeting him soon to update him on...
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NZ hake and ling receives sustainable seafood tick from MSC

Global sustainable seafood certifier, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has officially certified New Zealand hake and ling as sustainable seafood. The two species now join New Zealand hoki, albacore and southern blue whiting as sustainable varieties under the MSC’s strict criteria. As only nine percent of the world’s fish harvest is certified as sustainable, MSC manger Australia...
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Taking hoki up a notch

Hoki is one of the cheapest seafood options available at the counter, and with about 150,000 tonnes earmarked to be caught this year, it is also one of the most readily available. But Kiwi palates have grown up on inshore fish like snapper and tarakihi, which is much easier to access than the deep-sea hoki, lurking...
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EPA negative on miner’s application

The Environmental Protection Authority's initial view on Chatham Rock Phosphate's application for a marine consent to mine is decidedly negative. The company's shares plummeted as much as 60 percent to just 8 cents yesterday before recovering to close at 15 cents, down 5 cents. The EPA says its staff can't recommend the company application to mine phosphate...
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Fishing groups reject phosphate mining

Chatham Rock Phosphate has applied for marine consent to mine phosphate 450 kilometres east of Christchurch. Iwi in the rohe - Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri and the Hokotehi Moriori Trust - have said if the mining is approved, it would have a destructive effect on an important breeding ground and on commercial fish species. Ngati...
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Shark finning to be banned from 1 October

A ban on the finning of all shark species within New Zealand waters will take effect from 1 October this year, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced today. “Implementing this ban has happened much faster than originally proposed. It reinforces New Zealand’s strong international reputation for sustainability and protecting our...
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Increases for fish stocks show success of QMS

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced increases to catch limits for a range of New Zealand fisheries today, thanks to healthy stock levels. “This shows the success of our world-leading Quota Management System (QMS). It is flexible and driven by science, which means that we can increase take as stock levels improve,” Mr Guy...
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Quota increases recognise sustainable species

Sealord has welcomed the Minister of Primary Industries announcement about increased hoki and orange roughy quota a vote of confidence for the sustainability of these fisheries and work to ensure world class science and research is available.Quota increases recognise sustainable species Sealord has welcomed the Minister of Primary Industries’ announcement about increased hoki and orange roughy...
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Deepwater Group sUPPORTS CHANGES TO CATCH LIMITS

The Deepwater Group says the increase in the Total Allowable Commercial Catch for hoki shows the benefits of a long term commitment to build biomass in this major New Zealand fishery. An increase in the hoki catch, from 150,000 tonnes to 160,000 tonnes, was announced at the Seafood Industry Conference in Wellington today by the Minister...
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Our Seafood the Best in the World

The Prime Minister John Key called New Zealand’s seafood ‘the best in the world’ in opening the Seafood Industry Conference in Wellington today. John Key said he’s travelled all over the world and eaten seafood in all sorts of places, but ‘without doubt New Zealand produces the best and I’ll challenge anyone to show...
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Toothfish Ordered by Tim Groser was Sustainable

Facts on the toothfish ordered by Trade Minister Tim Groser in Singapore are now clear. This fish was not ‘protected’, nor was it sourced from Antarctica as previous media stories have incorrectly asserted. This toothfish was sourced from the Heard Island and McDonald Islands fishery, which is certified as ecologically sustainable by the Marine Stewardship...
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Seafood Industry Remains Concerned on Chatham Rise

The seafood industry today welcomed new developments with Chatham Rock Phosphate’s (CRP) application to mine the Chatham Rise area, a key fishing ground for New Zealand. “We’re very pleased that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has asked CRP for a lot more information on the adverse environmental effects of their proposal to mine large areas on...
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Report Queries Uranium Impact

A Crown report says there could be a long-term build up of uranium in farmlands from using phosphate mined from the Chatham Rise. But the company proposing the sea-bed mining, Chatham Rock Phosphate, says the uranium content is not a health hazard and is little different from that in Moroccan products already used here. The Crown has...
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Health Concerns Over Phosphate Mining Project

The Government’s concerned a huge phosphate mining project proposed for the Chatham Rise, off the country’s east coast, could contaminate our food. Chatham Rock Phosphate’s applying for consent to mine the mineral for fertiliser. In its submission to the Environmental Protection Authority, the Crown says there are high levels of uranium in the phosphate the company wants...
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Risk to No-Nuke Status Alleged

Uranium in phosphate nodules that Chatham Rock Phosphate intends to mine could threaten New Zealand's nuclear-free reputation, the seafood industry has told the Government. But the Golden Bay-based miner says the uranium is "incidental" and Conservation Minister Nick Smith agrees, saying it is a side issue. Deepwater Group chairman Chris Horton wrote to Smith and the ministers...
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Seafood Industry Claims Uranium Threat

Uranium in phosphate nodules that Chatham Rock Phosphate intends to mine could threaten New Zealand's nuclear-free reputation, the seafood industry has told the Government. But the Golden Bay-based miner says the uranium is "incidental" and Conservation Minister Nick Smith agrees, saying it is a side issue. Deepwater Group chairman Chris Horton wrote to Smith and the ministers...
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Deepwater Confident of Meeting Ling Fisheries Conditions

The main New Zealand ling fisheries have been assessed as meeting the high sustainability standards set by the international Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Ten ling fisheries have been assessed and these are part of the 29 New Zealand fisheries that are either already certified as meeting the MSC standards or are in the processes of becoming...
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Minister Commends Conservation Teamwork

Practical moves by fishermen will make more of a difference to protecting New Zealand's sea birds than any answers scientists or conservationists may come up with, Conservation Minister Nick Smith says. Dr Smith made the comments at the launch of Sharing Worlds - Seabirds and Fishing DVD by the Southern Seabird Solutions Trust at the Taiaroa...
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Seafood Industry and Conservation Groups to Protect Seabirds

The New Zealand seafood industry congratulated Southern Seabird Solution Trust’s on its short film “Sharing Worlds, Seabirds and Fishing” which was launched today by the Hon Nick Smith, the Minister of Conservation at the Royal Albatross Centre on the Otago Peninsula. The film highlights Otago fishing and conservation working together for the benefit of seabirds like...
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Fisheries Fight ‘Strip Mining’ Bid

The seafood industry has weighed in with a strong submission against Golden Bay-based Chatham Rock Phosphate's application to suction-mine the Chatham Rise. Submissions to the Environmental Protection Authority closed yesterday, with the Deepwater Group, representing 95 per cent of fish quota beyond coastal waters, saying the mining would have "significant and irreversible adverse effects on the...
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Seafood Industry Strongly Opposed to CRP Mining Application

Seafood Industry Strongly Opposed to CRP Mining Application for Chatham Rise The seafood industry strongly opposes Chatham Rock Phosphate’s application to mine the Chatham Rise, saying it will have “significant and irreversible adverse effects on the marine environment.” In its submission to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) the Deepwater Group says the environmental impacts of mining will...
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Seeing What Lies Beneath: Skippers Can See Into The Depths

A Nelson-based Sealord trawler was setting off today on a trip to test technology that will show skippers what's happening on the ocean floor as it unfolds beneath them. The company, which has invested $400,000 in this part of the project, says the result will be "smart trawling" with a reduction in impacts on the seabed...
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New Zealand Seafood Industry Welcomes EPA

The New Zealand seafood industry welcomes the Environmental Protection Authority’s decision to decline Trans-Tasman Resources’ (TTR) application to mine the South Taranaki Bight. Seafood New Zealand chairman, George Clement says the decision was the right one given concerns about the impact of mining activity on New Zealand’s fisheries. “Our fisheries are an important and valuable resource, and...
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Hilborn Tells Ocean Summit Alaska and NZ Have Never Had ‘Overfishing Pressure’ Under Modern Mgt

John Kerry's Ocean summit opened in Washington yesterday with leaders from about 80 countries in attendence.  The conference is designed to elevate the issue of marine protection in three areas: sustainable fishing, action on marine pollution, and action on ocean acidification. Coinciding with the conference President Obama expanded the central pacific marine sanctuary by excutive order;...
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Fishers Urged to Help Keep Seabirds Safe

A Nelson fisheries specialist who has worked with the commercial industry to reduce the risk of seabirds getting caught wants recreational fishers to follow suit. Richard Wells, a specialist with non-profit fisheries management organisation the DeepWater Group, said there were ways of reducing the risk of snaring a seabird, and methods for safely releasing birds that...
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Washington Ocean Summit Told Of New Zealand’s Sustainable Fishing

New Zealand’s fisheries management has been cited overnight (3am 17th June NZT) at the international Our Ocean Summit in Washington DC as an example of how best to fish sustainably.   Professor Ray Hilborn, Professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, has specifically identified “Alaska and New Zealand [who] have...
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Seafood Industry ‘Needs a Touch-Up’

The country's $1.6 billion-a-year seafood industry is a really well-painted house, the new chair of Seafood New Zealand says. But the missed corners now need filling-in, with scientific improvements, public perceptions and creating a vibrant industry on top of the agenda. George Clement was elected as the industry body's executive chairman last month, and was formally welcomed...
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Push for Hake to Gain Standard

The Maori economy will grow if deepsea fish hake gains a sustainable species standard, 50 percent iwi-owned fishing company Sealord says. The New Zealand hake has received a glowing report from the Marine Stewardship Council, saying the fish is well managed, with healthy fish stocks, which are harvested with minimal environmental impact. The council's report has to...
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$16m export fish gets top sustainability marks

New Zealand hake, a small but growing white fish export to Spain, China and Japan, has received a glowing report in an independent assessment, taking it one step closer to achieving certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC holds the world’s best standards for sustainably managed fisheries. Its assessment process, which is transparent and...
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MSC welcomes New Zealand orange roughy’s brave move to enter assessment

Three of New Zealand’s orange roughy fisheries have entered the lengthy and rigorous assessment process to be measured against the world’s most credible standard for sustainable fishing.   “A Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment is a highly transparent and meticulous process and I applaud any fishery that puts themselves under the microscope and scrutiny of the full...
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Call for seabed ‘legal anomalies’ to be resolved

The seafood industry wants the Environmental Protection Authority to defer any consideration on Chatham Rock Phosphate’s application to mine the Chatham Rise, until the legal anomalies of New Zealand’s Benthic Protected Areas are resolved. Chatham Rock Phosphate (CRP) has just submitted its marine consent application with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine in a Benthic...
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Mine bid ‘a risk to ecology’

Chatham Rock Phosphate, the small Golden Bay-based company with big seabed mining ideas, has submitted its formal marine consent application to vacuum up phosphate nodules from the Chatham Rise. With a plan that the seafood industry warns could have a dramatic effect on deepwater fishing, the company intends to use a giant Dutch ship to suck...
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Southern blue whiting fish stocks in good health

21 March, 2014 The Deepwater Group today welcomed the Minister for Primary Industries’ decision to raise the catch limit in the main southern blue whiting fishery near Campbell Island from 30,000 tonnes to 40,0000 tonnes. “This is the main southern blue whiting fishery and the very healthy state of the stock means that we...
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Deepwater Group supports sub-Antarctic marine reserves

The Deepwater Group is backing the three new Marine Reserves around the Sub-Antarctic island groups of Campbell, Bounty and Antipodies. Deepwater Group represents the fishing fleets which operate in the Southern Ocean.  These islands are listed as world heritage sites and were designated nature reserves in 1954. Deepwater CEO, George Clement, says these Marine Reserves, in which...
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Squid fishery decision reflects new research

PRESS RELEASE BY NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT AT 2:22PM, 02 AUG 2012 Primary Industries Minister David Carter says updated scientific research has played a key part in his decision on management measures for the Auckland Islands squid trawl fishery (SQU6T). Mr Carter today announced the maximum number of accidental fishing related sea lion deaths for the 2012/13 fishing...
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