Press Release For immediate use - 31 July 2009

True impact of New Zealand’s fisheries unknown, WWF

WWF-New Zealand is calling on the Government to fund more scientific research into the full impacts of fisheries on New Zealand’s marine ecosystems, following a statement by the Minister of Fisheries today applauding New Zealand’s fisheries for being amongst ‘the healthiest in the world’, based on a new report by published by the Science Journal, Rebuilding Global Fisheries.

‘This report should not be taken to mean that all New Zealand fisheries are environmentally-responsible. New Zealand fisheries are having significant negative impacts on the environment. There is not enough scientific information available to comprehend the full impact fishing is having on New Zealand’s marine ecosystems,’ said WWF-New Zealand’s Marine Programme Manager Rebecca Bird.

‘Under our ‘world-class’ quota management system, target fish stocks such as Orange Roughy and associated ecosystems have collapsed and are likely to never again reach their former abundance. For the majority of our commercially-fished stocks we simply don't have enough data to set a reasonable or precautionary catch limit. WWF is calling on the Government to invest in scientific research into the full environmental impact of our fisheries, so we are able to protect our unique marine biodiversity.’

She said that some fisheries were improving their environmental performance: ‘Some New Zealand fisheries are making progress towards becoming more sustainable, through programmes such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). There is a growing market of consumers who want to buy environmentally-responsible products and some fisheries are recognising this and acting on it to clean up their act. It’s positive that five more New Zealand fisheries have put themselves forward to be assessed for the MSC certification. But there is a long way to go - as WWF’s current assessments of these fisheries have revealed that essential information to inform basic fisheries management is lacking or largely unknown.’

She said the New Zealand fishing industry kills large numbers of protected and highly threatened species every year, including seabirds, sealions, fur seals and the endangered Hector’s dolphin, as well as causing significant damage to benthic habitats and associated ecosystems.

She concluded: ‘We are renewing our calls on the Government to commit to scientific research that will ensure we know enough about our marine resources to be able to manage them responsibly, and we are also renewing our call for a national network of marine reserves to safeguard our marine biodiversity. Do this, and we can start talking about being proud of our conservation efforts.’

WWF’s Future Seas: Scenario Planning and the Establishment of a Marine Reserve Network report released in June 2009 revealed that the need to build on our scientific understanding of our oceans is essential to preserving our marine biodiversity, along with a continued need for robust processes and mechanisms that ensure extractive activities are sustainable. It also found that no matter what the future holds, the establishment of a marine reserve network is an important safeguard for our marine environment.

Based on information identified in WWF’s Shining a Spotlight report, a significant amount of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity remains unprotected. WWF maintains the New Zealand Government needs to act now on the science available to protect vulnerable marine ecoregions, and to significantly invest in scientific research to improve our knowledge of our marine biodiversity and ecosystem function.

For more information visit www.wwf.org.nz .

Background information:

WWF-New Zealand’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. Our vision is a future where our marine resources are managed for the benefit of people and nature.

Research conducted by crown entity the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) for WWF in 2007 found that of the estimated 65,000 species that live in our oceans, only a fraction - about 15,000 - are known to science (Ng’ Taonga a Tangaroa: Treasures of the Sea - www.treasuresofthesea.org.nz). New Zealand’s marine environment is globally significant; almost half of the life in our oceans is found here and nowhere else in the world. For this reason New Zealand’s marine environment is ranked as one of WWF’s top priorities for conservation worldwide in its Global 200.

Over 30 marine reserves have been established in New Zealand waters. Today marine reserves cover 5.4 per cent of the territorial sea, or 0.2 per cent of the country’s total marine environment. The largest reserves by far surround the remote Auckland Islands and Kermadec Islands, which comprise 99 per cent of the marine reserve area in New Zealand.

About WWF WWF-New Zealand is part of the WWF International Network, the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. It has close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. This is achieved by working on the ground with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate change and effective conservation policy.

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