New Zealand’s western hoki stock has been rebuilt, declared Phil Heatley, the country’s fisheries and aquaculture minister on Wednesday, thanks to significant catch reductions and responsible fisheries management.
According to the latest stock assessment, the number of young fish entering the fishery has increased.
“Following a period which saw a limited number of young fish entering the fishery, resulting in depleted stocks between 2003 and 2006, the ministry and industry made large reductions in catch. It’s a move that has now paid off, with the ministry able to declare this stock rebuilt,” said Heatley.
The management of our fisheries resources is an ongoing process of review and adjustment and the positive status of the western hoki stock may result in a reconsideration of total allowable catches later this year," said Mr Heatley.
To help the western hoki stock recover, New Zealand has gradually reduced its annual hoki quota from 250,000 metric tons in 2001 to 90,000 metric tons in 2007.
Prior to Wednesday’s report, there were signs that the resource was on the upswing. Last September, the 2010-11 hoki quota was increases by 10,000 metric tons to 120,000 metric tons. The country’s fishing season runs from 1 October to 30 September.
“After taking decisive action in the past to reduce catches and allow fish stocks to rebuild, we’re now reaping the benefits of strong fisheries management. This management is an ongoing process of review and adjustment,” Wayne McNee, CEO of the fisheries ministry, said at the time.
While the western hoki stock has struggled, the eastern hoki stock has “always been healthy,” he said.
Despite its struggles, New Zealand’s hoki fishery was one of the world’s first fisheries to earn Marine Stewardship Council certification in March 2001; it was re-certified in October 2007.
Some environmental organizations, including Greenpeace, have criticized the MSC certification, arguing that the fishery — one of the world’s largest whitefish fisheries — is unsustainable.
