Oceans and Fisheries

The Labour Government is continuing to deliver on its promise to protect New Zealand’s oceans, with the announcement today of six new marine reserves between Oamaru and The Catlins.

The Government moved to protect the Hauraki Gulf for future generations today with the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill passing its first reading.

The Labour Government will ban bottom fishing from the vast bulk of the Hauraki Gulf as part of its plan to better protect the 1.2-million-hectare marine park for future generations, with public consultation opening tomorrow.

Commerical fishing will be banned across most of Lyttelton Harbour as part of the extension of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Rese

The Government is taking a major step towards protecting the Hauraki Gulf for future generations, including nearly tripling the area of Auckland’s maritime area that’s under protection.

Protecting New Zealand’s oceans and supporting innovation in the seafood sector are key priorities for the Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan.

The rollout of on-board cameras across New Zealand's inshore commercial fishing fleet has reached a new milestone, with cameras going live on the first 23 boats from Tuesday.

The Government is backing investigations into a potential new food industry for New Zealand – based on protein-rich, carbon-absorbing native microalgae.

The Government has released a draft plan to transform the fishing sector so that it can do a better job of protecting the environment while providing more jobs and earning more money.

A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs.

The two remaining open areas in the Coromandel scallop fishery will close, after new information showed scallops are in decline.

New Zealand’s record food and fibre export revenue is projected to reach new record highs, helping protect New Zealanders from the sharp edges of the global downturn.

The daily limits on recreationally caught hāpuku (also known as groper) and bass will be lowered to a total of two per person in some areas, with a new accumulation limit of three per person on multi-day trips.

The Fisheries Amendment Bill that passed its final reading today will strengthen and modernise the management of New Zealand's fisheries.

New measures announced today will further manage the impacts of fishing on South Island Hector’s dolphins.

Commercial catch limits for East Coast tarakihi will be reduced further to help the stock rebuild faster.