Fisheries

NIWA's fisheries research sits within three research programmes.

NIWA is developing and applying standardised stock monitoring and assessment methodologies for New Zealand's deepwater, inshore, and freshwater fisheries. This will enable better monitoring and prediction of changes in fish population biology, fish stock biomass, and size and age composition.

Strange fish behaviour has been captured by NIWA scientists

NIWA gathers information about fishing practices and the catch of an estimated 600,000 people who participate in recreational fishing every year.

Kaharoa Voyages KAH 2303 & 2306

Understanding the trends in recreational fisheries is key to ensuring sustainable fisheries across the country.

The Tongan deepwater demersal line fishery is a valuable source of income, livelihood, and social well-being for the people of Tonga. The fishery has a history of boom-and-bust cycles with fluctuating catches and poor economic returns.

NIWA are studying the ocean off Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay to see how Cyclone Gabrielle has impacted the health of fisheries habitats and seabed ecosystems.

NIWA scientists have discovered the origins of cryptic markings found in Aotearoa New Zealand’s deep sea.

This NIWA-led, three-year project developed a high-tech protype system to minimise bycatch of unwanted species in trawl gear.

NIWA and University of Auckland masters student Georgia Third is getting up close and personal with snapper guts and teeth to understand the differences between biologically distinct snapper populations in New Zealand.

Casal2 is an advanced software package developed by NIWA for modelling the population dynamics of marine species.