Government Quota Decision Good News for Tuna Fishing Industry
The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC) says the Government’s decision to provide a preferential allocation of
by-catch quota to tuna quota owners is good news.
Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope announced on Monday (December 6) that the Government would give $9 million worth of
quota to tuna fishers in response to ongoing problems they faced due to a mismatch in tuna catch history on which quota
entitlements are calculated and the quota set for other associated species caught as by-catch.
“The industry is appreciative of the Government’s action and it will provide certainty and a framework that will allow
fishers to get on and make the best commercial decisions for their business,” said New Zealand Seafood Industry Council
Chief Executive, Owen Symmans.
“Fishermen have been left in limbo until now, as they have not known how they would manage the by-catch species which
are caught as part of the normal tuna fishing operation.”
The decision will enable quota for by-catch of species like blue shark, mako shark, moonfish, porbeagle shark and Ray's
bream to be matched to the tuna quota allocation.
“Some fishers will be disappointed that swordfish has not been allocated on the same basis, but all in all, the
Government move will provide an opportunity for the industry to move forward,” Mr Symmans said.
Tuna fishing has expanded significantly in the last decade. There are around 500 tuna fishing operators in New Zealand
and the industry is worth around $30 million annually with strong growth potential for expanding exports, particularly
as seafood is increasingly seen in global markets as an essential part of the regular diet because of its nutritional
value as a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acid.