How much seabed is protected?
Since 2007, 32% of New Zealand's seabed is protected against dredging and bottom trawling. This is an area 4 times the landmass of New Zealand.
More details
About 1.2 million square kilometres of seabed habitat is protected. This includes:
- 28% of underwater topographic features (including seamounts)
- 52% of seamounts (underwater mountains over 1000 metres in height)
- 88% of active hydrothermal vents.
During development of our BPAs, the United Nations mentioned seamounts and hydrothermal vents as specific habitats that needed protection.
Background
In 2007, the Government accepted an industry proposal to close 17 areas to bottom trawling and dredging. The changes for this took effect in the same year.
Before the BPA regulations were implemented, the level of protection was about 2% of New Zealand's EEZ.
How BPAs are protected
To ensure that fishing gear does not touch the bottom, trawling within 100m of the seabed is prohibited within a BPA.
What happens if fishers break this law?
Trawling within 100m of the seabed within a BPA is illegal and carries a fine of up to $100,000 and seizure of the vessel.
Legal fishing activity within BPAs
Off-bottom trawl fishing is allowed in BPAs, if fishers meet the requirements.
Requirements for off-bottom trawl fishing
Before entering a BPA, vessel operators must inform the Fisheries Communication Centre of which BPA they intend to enter, and that they will be off-bottom trawl fishing.
The Fisheries Communications Centre
Observers
Two observers must be on board the vessel and must be told before the off-bottom trawling begins.
Electronic net monitoring
The vessel must have an electronic net monitoring system (ENMS) that continuously records when trawling:
- the depth of the ground rope and seabed
- the date and time
- the latitude and longitude of the vessel
- any other information that may be required.
Read our circular, which explains the standards and requirements that apply to ENMS for use within BPAs.
Download the ENMS circular [PDF, 17 KB]
Find out more
Fact sheet – Protecting New Zealand's seabed from bottom trawling [PDF, 375 KB]
Who to contact
If you have questions about benthic protection areas, email info@mpi.govt.nz
