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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 described1 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 94
Individual stocks in the QMS 619
Information available on stock status2 60-70%
Stocks at or near target level3 82%

Commercial Fisheries and Aquaculture

Total export value 2005 (FOB) $1.2 billion
Capture fisheries $1.0 billion
Aquaculture $200 million
Direct subsidies Nil
Total quota value4 $3.5 billion
Persons with quota holding 2,432
Commercial fishing vessels 1,365
Processors and Licensed Fish Receivers 227
Direct employment (full time equivalents)5 10,500
Direct and indirect employment (full time equivalents) 26,000 tonnes
Actual take (in NZ EEZ) 505,000 tonnes

Customary Fisheries

Tangata Tiaki appointed (South Island) 134
Tangata Kaitiaki appointed (North Island) 148
Temporary closures 6
Taiapure-local fisheries 7
Mätaitai reserves 5
Estimated annual take not known

Recreational Fisheries6

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

Ministry of Fisheries

Budget 2007/08 (excl GST) $89.4 million
Net assets $12.8 million
Staff as at 30 June 2006 (FTEs) 408
Honorary Fishery Officers 149
  1. NZ Biodiversity Strategy, 2000.
  2. Percentage of stocks calculated by weight and value, excluding squid.
  3. Of the 93 stocks for which we have information for current stock size, 76 (82%) are at or near target levels. For the remainder of those stocks, rebuild strategies are in place. These represent the main commercial stocks.
  4. Statistics New Zealand. Fish monetary stock accounts. Calculated on basis of average quota trade price x TACC.
  5. McDermott Fairgray Group, 2000, Economic impact assessment for NZ regions. Prepared for the NZ Seafood Industry Council.
  6. 1999/00 Survey of Recreational Fishing.
Updated : 16 November 2007