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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.
Chief Executive of Seafood New Zealand, Tim Pankhurst, said the Minister’s statement that the Government will take a reasoned...
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[caption id="attachment_6081" align="alignnone" width="604"]  © Rob Leslie[/caption]
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.
The claim was made by Forest & Bird in a bid to discredit the internationally respected...
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 incidental capture management.
The consortium included government, industry,...
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 to Western Australia’s Recfishwest.
The recommendation, and others, were made during a panel discussion featuring report author Dr Randall Bess,...
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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 Safety.
Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash said the change would improve the management of a valued resource.
“The reorganisation...
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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 fisheries in the world through progressive management and robust science.
George Clement has been their chief...
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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 Nature Conservancy (TNC), one of the world’s largest conservation organisations and a leader in coastal and marine management, last night released an extensive...
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Mud holes at Campbell Island (Blue Planet Marine, 2015)
Deepwater Group (DWG) is funding a novel research project as a part of a field trip to monitor sea lion pups at the second largest breeding colony at Campbell Island.
The New Zealand sea lion risk assessment showed...
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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 officials to look at options for readjusting the current IEMRS timeframes.
“Digital monitoring will give...
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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 the new measures are effective.
The Labour Government has committed to implementing digital reporting and monitoring...
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[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 seafood industry is working with MPI on expectations that appear to be unnecessary, unworkable or that will...
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 Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), a multilateral pact of 13 countries seeking to conserve...
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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 roughy fishery - ORH3B Puysegur - south of Stewart Island has been reopened after the...
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An orange roughy fishery south of Stewart Island has been given the green light to reopen after 19 years.
In 1998, the seafood industry agreed to cease fishing in the ORH3B Puysegur area to rest the fishery to allow stocks to rebuild. Over the past 19 years the industry...
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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 to do so electronically - are supported by Fisheries Inshore New Zealand (FINZ) and...
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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 “the vessels all use bird scaring lines, set their fishing lines at night, add weights to...
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The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has proposed changes to the management of the southern squid trawl (SQU6T) fishery to ensure any interactions with New Zealand sea lions continue to be minimised and to align with the findings in the joint Department of Conservation (DOC) and MPI New Zealand Sea Lion...
[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 two surveys were approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and designed by New...
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 and production credentials of the New Zealand seafood industry.
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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 the marine environment and its wildlife.
Department of Conservation Director-General Lou Sanson said New Zealanders have a strong connection to our...
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A new report from economic researchers BERL has confirmed the importance of the commercial fishing industry to New Zealand.
The report, The economic contribution of commercial fishing to the New Zealand economy, shows commercial fishing is worth $4.18 billion to the New Zealand economy.
Chief executive of Fisheries Inshore New Zealand, Dr Jeremy Helson, said exports alone...
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A one-stop source for information on New Zealand seafood was launched at the New Zealand Seafood Industry conference in Wellington today.
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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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 for the year to June 2017 is expected to be $1.8 billion, broadly in line with last year,...
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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 for the orange roughy Puysegur stock, a sub-stock of ORH 3B, has a proposed increase from 150...
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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 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
This new Plan is based on a comprehensive risk assessment of the threats to...
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 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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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 Status of New Zealand’s Fisheries 2016.
Between 2001 and 2007, hoki quota was more than halved...
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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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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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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 for the Exploration of the Sea) has held a conference in New Zealand and...
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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 endemic Southern Buller’s albatross is unusual among albatrosses in that it breeds...
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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 Marine Stewardship Council.
Sustainable Seafood Day is an annual initiative...
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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 Zealand.
George Clement, Chief Executive of Deepwater...
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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 in the early 1990s,” says Mr Guy.
“A huge amount of...
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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 of New Zealand’s orange roughy achieved certification in December for sustainable fishing practices, and is now eligible to carry...
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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).
This achievement further demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management, Deepwater...
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Press Release: Sanford Limited
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 to $463.5m.
Sanford CEO, Volker Kuntzsch said it’s a pleasing result after a year of focus across...
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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 reserve, spanning 1.55 million square kilometres of Antarctic waters, was announced last week. Final details are still to be...
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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 Robertson said changes in fishing practices have alleviated pressures on the marine environment.
“There have been some significant decreases...
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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 impartial, transparent and repeatable. Their report demonstrates none of these hallmarks.
In early 2015, after the authors of the Simmons...
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 with greater certainty.
Deepwater Group welcomes the announcement that New Zealand’s key orange roughy fisheries have now entered the final stage...
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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 Harvesting (PSH) technology known as a Modular Harvest System (MHS) is a potential replacement for traditional fishing methods. Using...
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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, Mr Clement referred to the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) prediction that global food production will need to increase...
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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 management and regulations and to the Fisheries Act.
"It's high-level, we won't be getting into the detail...
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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 Zealand Seafood Industry conference.
“New Zealand’s fisheries are performing extremely well overall, at least as good as or...
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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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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 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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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A global commitment to manage the ocean more effectively has the full support of the New Zealand seafood industry. One of the world’s most influential forums, the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress is currently underway in Sydney, with members sharing the latest scientific knowledge and management of protected areas, as well as considering...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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MSC-certified New Zealand hoki © Deepwater Group[/caption]
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.
After a 12-month independent assessment... 
Figure 1: Location of sea lion breeding sites in New Zealand. The Auckland Islands breeding site is the one that intersects with the squid fishery. Source: DOC Threat Management Plan (left) and Tamzin Henderson (right).[/caption]
What’s causing the... 
