New Zealand fish stocks appear to be in good shape going into 2015, according to industry group Seafood New Zealand.
“The status of our stocks over the 2014 year showed some marked improvements according to the Ministry for Primary Industries figures and point to the conclusion that ‘by far the majority of New Zealand’s fisheries are performing well,’” said Tim Pankhurst, chief executive of Seafood New Zealand.
Hoki, the country’s largest fishery, has shown steady improvement, with 2014 allowable catch going from 150,000 to 160,000 metric tons due to new assessments showing the stocks were healthy
Similar increases were noted at some inshore fisheries. Overall, the number of known fish stocks at or above target for good management went from 69.2 percent in 2013 to 72.5 percent in 2014, and Pankhurst said he expects the trend to continue this year.
“New Zealand bases its fisheries management on science that has evolved over 30 years and this should give consumers confidence that their seafood comes from a sustainably managed source,” he said.