Fisheries
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NIWA is New Zealand’s main provider of fisheries research to a range of clients including the Ministry of Fisheries, other government departments, fisheries stakeholder groups and groups associated with non-commercial fisheries. There is also an active international market for our fisheries science services. Our research includes scientific studies and stock assessments underpinning fisheries management, including the setting of total catch limits within the Quota Management System.
Research
Our research in this area includes work on:
- Fisheries assessment
- Resource sustainability
- Environmental effects of fishing
- Improving fishing efficiency
Consultancy
We have expertise in:
- Fish abundance and productivity
- Acoustic evaluation of fish stocks
- Biology and ecology of harvested species
- Stock identification and product identification
- Population modelling and risk analysis
- Estimation of sustainable harvest levels
- Disease management
- Impacts of fishing on non-target species
- Assessment of highly migratory species
- Assessment of recreational and traditional catch levels
- Sustainability and enhancement of cultured and wild shellfisheries
- Remote sensing for improved fishing
- Training and advice on resource assessment for Maori
- Management of fisheries data
Capabilities & Resources
NIWA owns and operates two research vessels fully equipped for a full range of fisheries research methods down to 2000 m. Our 70-m offshore vessel, RV Tangaroa, and our 28-m inshore vessel, RV Kaharoa, are both operated by NIWA Vessel Management.
NWA is a major New Zealand repository for fisheries data and biological samples on behalf of clients such as the Ministry of Fisheries.
Publications & Articles
Our newsletter Fisheries & Aquaculture Update highlights recent developments and science in New Zealand fisheries and aquaculture. It replaces our previous publication Aquaculture Update.
Fishery Assessment Reports, published for the Ministry of Fisheries, are the primary documentation for fisheries stock assessments in New Zealand. Most of these are produced by NIWA staff and are available from Science Communication [ scicomm@niwa.co.nz ].
Key Contacts
Director of Fisheries Research – Dr John McKoy [ j.mckoy@niwa.co.nz ]
Inshore and Pelagic – Dr Malcolm Francis [ m.francis@niwa.co.nz ]
Deepwater – Dr Malcolm Clark [ m.clark@niwa.co.nz ]
Shellfish – Dr Alison MacDiarmid [ a.macdiarmid@niwa.co.nz ]
Acoustics – Dr Gavin Macaulay [ g.macaulay@niwa.co.nz ]
Data Management – Dr Don Robertson [ d.robertson@niwa.co.nz ]
Modelling – Mr Dave Gilbert [ d.gilbert@niwa.co.nz ]
Freshwater Species – Dr Don Jellyman [ d.jellyman@niwa.co.nz ], Ian Jowett [ i.jowett@niwa.co.nz ]
Links
Ministry of Fisheries
[ www.fish.govt.nz ]
New Zealand Seafood Industry Council [ www.seafood.co.nz ]
