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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 identified1 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


Quota Management System (QMS) stocks
Species/species complexes in QMS 96
Individual stocks in QMS 628
Proportion of catch (by weight) from assessed stocks2 72%
Assessed stocks at or near target level3 67.5%
Allowable commercial take (TACC)4 585,685 tonnes
Actual catch 434,327 tonnes

Commercial Fisheries and Aquaculture
Total seafood export value, 2008 (FOB)5 $1.35 billion
Aquaculture exports6 $263 million
Total seafood exports, 20087 296,250 tonnes
Total quota value8 $3.97 billion
Persons with quota holding 1,592
Commercial fishing vessels 1,360
Processors and Licensed Fish Receivers 229
Direct employment (full time equivalents)9 7,155
Cost recovery levies (fisheries services) and user fees, 2008/90 (actual) $35 million

Customary Fisheries
Tangata Tiaki appointed (South Island) 112
Tangata Kaitiaki appointed (North Island) 234
Temporary closures 6
Taiāpure-local fisheries 8
Mātaitai reserves 10 (185.4 sq km)
Customary take provided for within the TAC 4,802 tonnes

Recreational Fisheries
Estimated participation (as a % of the total NZ population)10 33%
Estimated annual take11 25,000 tonnes

Ministry of Fisheries
Budget 2008/09 (excl GST) $102.7 million
Net assets $13.3 million
Staff (June 2009) (FTEs) 446
Honorary Fishery Officers (March 2009) 185
Observers (June 2009) 48

1 Environment New Zealand 2007, Ministry for the Environment.
2 Percentage of stocks calculated by weight and value, excluding squid.
3 Remaining stocks are subject to rebuilding strategies.
4 Latest complete fishing years (October fishing year 2007/08, April fishing year 2007/08, February fishing year 2008/09). Excludes 14.95 million individual oysters, which are not measured in tonnes.
5 Seafood Export Summary Report, SeaFIC, based on export data supplied by Statistics New Zealand.
6 Mussel, salmon and oyster exports for the calendar year 2008.
7 This includes all product forms (processed and unprocessed).
8 Statistics New Zealand. Fish monetary stock accounts, 1996–2008.
9 Census 2006.
10 Andrew Fletcher Consulting Survey, June 2009. Prepared for Ministry of Fisheries.
11 1999/2000 Survey of Recreational Fishing.

Updated : 3 November 2009