about us

Our Maori name expresses our mission, Te Tautiaki i nga tini a Tangaroa: guardian of the multitudes of Tangaroa.

New Zealand’s marine environment and fisheries resources are highly valued economically, culturally and environmentally. That’s why conserving and managing fisheries for the benefit of all New Zealanders is important.

The issues around using fisheries are complex but it is important that:

• we use our fisheries in a sustainable way
• there is a fair system for all to gain access to fisheries resources while protecting them at the same time
• the potential for fisheries resources and the environment to be damaged as a result of this use is minimised.

The Ministry of Fisheries’ (MFish) works to ensure that fisheries are used in a sustainable way and that we have a healthy aquatic ecosystem. That way, all New Zealanders can get the best value from this resource.

We do this in three main ways:

• researching fisheries
• managing the process for access or allocation of fisheries
• ensuring that those who use these resources comply with the legislation and regulations.

What is a fishery?

The word "fishery" means much more than a catching fish to eat.

A fishery can be any marine life that is caught or harvested by people to sell, process or eat. It also covers all the other activities people do that relates to a species of marine life, including:

• research
• cultural and scientific knowledge base surrounding the species
• recreational and customary use of the resource
• commercial activities surrounding the resource (harvesting, processing, exporting etc)
• the system for managing sustainable use.