Download AEBR 144 Benthic habitat classes and trawl fishing disturbance in New Zealand waters shallower than 250 m

Bottom trawl gear in New Zealand coastal waters out to 250 m depths contacted about 46 000 km2 of the seafloor annually (2007–08 to 2011–12). The total five year trawl footprint contacted about 48% of the seafloor: about 60% of the seafloor in depths of less than 100 m; 50–58% of the sand, mud, and gravel areas; and 30–64% of the five main BOMEC environmental classes. Available data were inadequate to describe benthic habitats or test sensitivity of benthic organisms to fishing disturbance.