MSC Fisheries
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New Zealand hake trawl

Certifier : 
LRQA (Seafood) Limited
Certified status : 
Combined with another assessment
Certified since : 
16 Sep 2014
Certificate expires : 
15 Sep 2019

Overview

Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.

Attention

Some or all units that participated in this fishery are now covered by another assessment. Please see the New Zealand hake, hoki, ling and Southern blue whiting for more information.

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

  • No longer in the program
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area Status (Units of Certification)
    UoC-1153 Southern hake (Merluccius australis) Trawls - Bottom trawls 81 (Pacific, Southwest) Withdrawn
    UoC-1152 Southern hake (Merluccius australis) Trawls - Bottom trawls 81 (Pacific, Southwest) Withdrawn
    UoC-0136 Southern hake (Merluccius australis) Trawls - Bottom trawls 81 (Pacific, Southwest) Withdrawn

View glossary of terms

About this Fishery

The fishery operates in the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in three management areas around the country’s South Island. Hake are widely distributed in the middle depths. 

The major commercial fisheries in New Zealand waters are managed by the Ministry of Fisheries, through a quota management system (QMS). Within this, fisheries sustainability objectives are achieved by setting a total allowable catch (TAC) that is consistent with the productivity of a fishery.

The Deepwater Group, under which the fishery operates, is a non-profit organisation formed in September 2005. An amalgamation of EEZ fisheries quota owners, the group works in close partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries. They aim to ensure New Zealand gains maximum economic yield from its deepwater fisheries resources, utilising a long term sustainable framework.

The Deepwater Group has embarked on an ambitious program to obtain MSC certification for no less than 85% of the seafood production from New Zealand’s EEZ.

All vessels use an electronic net monitoring system (Furuno CN22/24), which monitors the headline height, groundrope/seabed relationship and water temperature.

"This achievement is a testament to the New Zealand seafood sector's ongoing commitment to sustainable utilisation and their ongoing partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries to ensure these fisheries are managed for the future."  - Deepwater Group Chief Excutive, George Clement on the fishery’s MSC certification. 

Market Information

The majority of catch (over 90%) is exported - to Australia, Europe, Japan, Korea and South Africa.