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NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES AT A GLANCE

NZ Marine Fisheries Waters (EEZ and Territorial Sea) 4.4 million km²
NZ Coastline 15,000 km
Marine species described[1] 8,000
Species commercially fished 130
Productivity of the fishery Medium
Ecosystems Diverse
Climate Sub-tropical to sub-Antarctic

Quota Management System stocks

Number of species/species complexes in the QMS 97
Individual stocks in the QMS 629
Information available on stock status[2] 65%
Stocks at or near target level[3] 85%

Commercial Fisheries and Aquaculture

Total export value 2007 (FOB) $1.25 billion
Capture fisheries $1.0 billion
Aquaculture[4] $227 million
Direct subsidies Nil
Total quota value[5] $3.8 billion
Persons with quota holding 1,678
Commercial fishing vessels 1,372
Processors and Licensed Fish Receivers 229
Direct employment (full time equivalents)[6] 7,155
Annual take (in NZ EEZ) 517,000 tonnes
Allowable take (TACC)[7] 589,000 tonnes

Customary Fisheries

Tangata Tiaki appointed (South Island) 134
Tangata Kaitiaki appointed (North Island) 176
Temporary closures 5
Taiapure-local fisheries 8
Mätaitai reserves 6
Customary take provided for within the TAC 4,688 tonnes

Recreational Fisheries [8]

Estimated participation (as a % of the total NZ population) 20%
Estimated annual take 25,000 tonnes

Ministry of Fisheries

Budget 2007/08 (excl GST) $93.7 million
Net assets $12.6 million
Staff as at 31 March 2007 (FTEs) 437
Honorary Fishery Officers 166 


[1] NZ Biodiversity Strategy, 2000
[2] Percentage of stocks calculated by weight and value, excluding squid
[3] Of the 85 stocks for which we have information for current stock size, 72 (85%) are at or near target levels. These represent the main commercial stocks. Rebuild strategies are in place for the remaining 13 stocks.
[4] Mussel, salmon and oyster exports for the calendar year 2007
[5] Statistics New Zealand. Fish monetary stock accounts. Calculated on basis of average quota trade price x TACC.
[6] Census 2006 
[7] Excludes 15 million individual oysters, which are not measured in tonnes
[8] 1999/00 Survey of Recreational Fishing

Updated : 17 April 2008