Quota increases recognise sustainable species
Sealord has welcomed the Minister of Primary Industries’ announcement about increased hoki and orange roughy quota – a
vote of confidence for the sustainability of these fisheries and work to ensure world class science and research is
available.
According the Sealord General Manger Fishing, Doug Paulin, industry collaboration and investment by Sealord in science
is making a positive difference.
“Our investment in research and technology has already resulted in better knowledge about the orange roughy fisheries
and three of them have now entered the process for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability certification.
“Hoki is New Zealand’s most recognised sustainable species, having been independently certified three times by the Marine Stewardship Council and the first deep water species to be certified without any objections. The Quota Management System means we can
adjust the fishing effort to ensure stocks stay abundant,” said Paulin.
Sealord and the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) partnered to develop a
multi-frequency Acoustic Optical System (AOS) – deep sea technology that allows scientists to use acoustics (sound) at different frequencies, and optics (visuals) to
better understand fish and the marine environment.
This equipment has provided some never before seen footage of orange roughy at depths of more than 1000m and better, more accurate information about the species.