Fisheries

Fisheries New Zealand is the Government's principal adviser for New Zealand fisheries management. Learn about the legislation guiding management of our fisheries.

Our role

We are the New Zealand Government’s principal adviser on fisheries management and the impacts of fishing on the aquatic environment. We operate under the Fisheries Act 1996 and a range of other legislation relating to fisheries management.

The Fisheries Act and sustainability

We are responsible for administering the Fisheries Act 1996 and its supporting regulations. The Act gives commercial, recreational, and customary fishers access to resources while ensuring our fish stocks are managed sustainably. Sustainable catch levels determine how many fish can be harvested.

The Act includes law about:

  • the application and administration of the Quota Management System (QMS)
  • measures that contribute to the sustainability of fisheries resources and avoiding, remedying or mitigating any adverse effects of fishing on the aquatic environment
  • recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992 and the creation of tools to provide for customary use and fishery management practices
  • allocation of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) between Māori customary, recreational, and commercial fishers.

Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation website 

Find fisheries regulations – FishServe website

Māori fisheries

We deliver the Crown's obligations to Māori under the:

  • Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992
  • Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004
  • Māori Fisheries Act 2004

Read about Māori customary fisheries management

Treaty of Waitangi fisheries claims

The Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act makes sure that all Māori claims to commercial fisheries under the Treaty of Waitangi have been fully and finally settled. It puts in place the agreements made in the 1992 Fisheries Deed of Settlement.

Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act

Allocation of fish stocks

Under the Māori Fisheries Act 2004, 20% of quota for any new QMS stocks is allocated to Māori fisheries.

Māori Fisheries Act 2004

International fisheries

New Zealand has signed up to a number of international treaties that manage international fisheries, including the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Under these agreements, we have developed New Zealand legislation around international fisheries.

Aquaculture legislation

We manage land-based and marine aquaculture under several different laws including the Fisheries Act 1996 and the Resource Management Act 1991.

Read about aquaculture legislation

Last reviewed:
Has this been useful? Give us your feedback