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New Zealand Fisheries at a Glance

Environment

NZ Marine Fisheries Waters (EEZ and Territorial Sea)
4.4 million km2
NZ Coastline
15,000 km
Marine species identified 1
16,000
Species commercially fished
130
Area closed to bottom trawling (fisheries restrictions)

  Territorial Sea
15%
  Exclusive Economic Zone
32%
Primary productivity
Moderate with some high
Ecosystems
Diverse
Climate
Sub-tropical to sub-Antarctic
Quote Management System Stocks
Species/species complexes in QMS
96
Individual stocks in QMS
628
Percentage of catch (by weight and value) from assessed stocks 2
66%
Stocks with known status at or near target level 3
71%
Allowable commercial take (TACC)4
573,000 tonnes
  Actual catch (greenweight)
441,000 tonnes
Commercial Fisheries and Aquaculture
Total seafood export value,2007 (FOB)5
$1.3 billion
  Aquaculture exports 6
$223 million
Total seafood exports,2007 7
321,502 tonnes
Total quota value 8
$3.8 billion
Persons with quota holding
1,644
Commercial fishing vessels
1,277(includes all domestic and charter vessels)
Processors and Licensed Fish Receivers
261
Direct employment (full time equivalents)9
7,155
Customary Fisheries
Tangata Tiaki appointed (South Island)
113
Tangata Kaitiaki appointed (North Island)
229
Temporary closures and restrictions
5
Taiapure-local fisheries
8
Mätaitai reserves
8
Customary take provided for within the TAC
4,802 tonnes
Recreational Fisheries
Estimated participation (as a %of the total NZ population)10
31%
Estimated annual take11
25,000 tonnes
Ministry of Fisheries
Budget 2007/08 (excl GST)
$96.5 million
Net assets
$12.6 million
Staff (June 2008)(FTEs)
443.3
Honorary Fishery Officers (June 30 2008)
162
Observers (June 30 2008)
57

 


1 Environment New Zealand 2007, Ministry for the Environment.
2 Percentage of total landings that are from stocks for which status is known, calculated in terms of both weight and value, excluding squid and Foveaux Strait dredge oysters.
3 There are 101 stocks for which we have sufficient information to characterise stock status. These include the main commercial stocks. 72 of these are near or above target level. Management action has been taken to rebuild the remaining 29 stocks.
4 Latest complete fishing years (October fishing year 2006/07, April fishing year 2006/07, February fishing year 2007/08). Excludes 14.95 million individual oysters, which are not measured in tonnes.
5
Report 5A, Seafood Export Summary Report, SeaFIC based on export data supplied by Statistics New Zealand.
6
Mussel, Pacific salmon, Salmonidae and oyster exports for the calendar year 2007. Report 7A, Seafood Export Summary Report, SeaFIC based on export data supplied by Statistics New Zealand.
7
This includes all product forms (processed and unprocessed).
8 Statistics New Zealand. Fish monetary stock accounts, 1996-2007.
9 Census 2006.
10
Andrew Fletcher Consulting Survey, November 2007. Prepared for the 10. Ministry of Fisheries.
111999/00 Survey of Recreational Fishing.
Updated : 8 October 2008