Haratua 2007
Issue 12

  1. New Shared Fisheries Proposal Put to Minister
  2. Scientists survey Taharoa eel populations
  3. Busy year begins with mandating iwi and protecting the settlement
  4. Ngai Tamanuhiri achieves inshore fisheries agreement
  5. Rob McLeod stands down from board
  6. Kiwis well-informed on sustainability and the health benefits of fish
  7. AFL buys Kia Ora Seafoods
  8. Maori shared fisheries submissions
  9. Maori MPs intervention delays introduction of Fisheries Amendment Bill
  10. Sealord CEO moves to new role
  11. Napier Fisheries Conference
  12. Panel airs shared fisheries views
  13. Glaister resigns as head of MFish
  14. Commercial fisheries valued at $3.8 billion
  15. Staying Maori while going global
  16. Court delivers judgement on Kahawai allowable catch
  17. Government approves industry-led proposal to protect seabed
  18. Ngai Tahu says eel size limits ineffectual
  19. More assets in iwi hands first half of financial year
  20. High seas limit on bottom trawl fishing
  21. Kirsty Woods takes leave of absence
  22. Changes to Charitable Trust laws
  23. Staff and Directors
  24. New Executive Assistant

Other Issues >>

Government approves industry-led proposal to protect seabed

The Government has agreed to establishing 17 protected marine habitats on the seabed allow the country's valuable commercial fishing industry to continue fishing while at the same time guaranteeing protection to more than a third of New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Under the plan the deepwater fishing industry agrees that there will be no bottom trawling or dredging in the 17 different areas within New Zealand's EEZ.

The 17 Benthic Protection Areas (BPAs) account for 32 percent of the EEZ, and cover an area more than four times New Zealand's land mass.

“The fishing industry is to be applauded for developing this initiative to protect marine habitats on the seabed,” Te Ohu Kaimoana Chief Executive Peter Douglas said. “This is a genuine effort to ensure certain areas of the benthic environment remain in pristine condition now and for our mokopuna. The Government is to be applauded for approving this industry-led initiative to protect the environment.”

Bottom-trawl fishing has previously occurred in 16 of these BPAs and almost 20,000 tonnes of fish has previously been caught in them.

Chief Executive of AFL, Robin Hapi, said that when industry conceived the plan, it was a bold and audacious move. “This plan sets aside areas that are pristine in nature. It fits in with the Maori ethic of kaitiakitanga and rahui and demonstrates that New Zealand's fourth largest industry is able to ensure the full conservation of our benthic environment for future generations while ensuring sustainable utilisation.”

An image of New Zealand's Quota Management System and the areas that are protected from bottom trawl fishing. The areas set aside (marked in orange) are representative of the different areas of the sea floor and are pristine in nature.

 

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Tiakina ngā rawa hi ika, a tātou kaimoana mo ngā uri whakaheke
Protecting Māori fisheries assets for future generations