On-board cameras for commercial fishing vessels

Update – 12 December 2025

From 18 December 2025, on-board cameras must be switched to "active" and recording during in-scope fishing, fishing-related activity (such as sorting), and while transiting to and from fishing locations.

Cameras do not need to be on at other times such as when at anchor, drifting, or powered down.

This change follows consultation on amendments to the Fisheries (Electronic Monitoring on Vessels) Regulations 2017 undertaken as part of the fisher reform process. The amendments clarify when on-board cameras are required to be used.

More information of the consultation process and the fisheries reform process is on the consultation page – Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act

Why on-board cameras?

Cameras have been used on commercial fishing vessels around the world for decades. We have learned a lot from overseas fisheries that are already using these systems. It's the next step towards a more data-driven and responsive fisheries management system, and a key part of the long-term health and resilience of our marine ecosystems. The independent information they provide supports the reputation of our fishing industry, the sustainability of our fisheries, and more confident management decisions.

On 17 June 2021, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries announced that up to 300 inshore commercial vessels using "in-scope" fishing methods would be fitted with cameras. This followed an initial proof of concept that saw cameras placed on a few vessels in 2019. On 25 May 2022, the government confirmed the details of the wider rollout.

Rollout of cameras on fishing vessels to begin – Beehive.govt.nz

Which vessels are operating on-board cameras?

Unless a valid exemption is held, all inshore vessels using the following "in-scope" fishing methods must operate cameras during fishing, related activities (including setting, hauling, sorting, processing and returning fish to the sea), and while transiting to and from fishing locations.

Trawling vessels 8 metres to 32 metres in length, except those targeting scampi.
Set net vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres, except when using one or more tenders to haul the nets.
Surface longline vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres.
Bottom longline vessels 8 metres to 32 metres in length.
Purse seine vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres.
Danish seine vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres.

Need cameras installed? Find out about the installation process

How to apply for an exemption

When to operate on-board cameras

On-board cameras must be switched to "active" and recording during in-scope fishing, fishing-related activity (such as sorting), and while transiting to and from fishing locations. Cameras do not need to be on at other times, such as when at anchor, drifting, or powered down.

Timeline for the rollout of on-board cameras

Cameras were first being placed on vessels posing the greatest risk to protected species. Unless an exemption was issued by MPI (done on a case-by-case basis for individual vessels), cameras were installed and transmitting footage from the dates, areas, and in-scope fishing methods as outlined.

Expand all

Vessels Currently Required to Operate Cameras

Toggle expandable

From 1 August 2023

Priority Group 1 (non-proof-of-concept vessels): Trawl vessels less or equal to 32 metres in overall length (except those targeting scampi) and set net vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres in overall length, who have Spark cameras installed because of their intention to fish in the West Coast North Island area will, from 1 August 2023, be required to operate cameras and provide footage for trawl and set net fishing off the west coast of the North Island and the north, east and south coasts of the South Island.

Map of west coast of the North Island [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Map of the north, east and south coasts of the South Island [PDF, 1.8 MB]

Priority Group 1 (proof-of-concept vessels): These vessels have been operating proof-of-concept camera systems since 2019 when fishing off the west coast of the North Island. From 14 June 2023 this expanded to the north, east and south coasts of the South Island. These vessels will continue to use their existing system until Spark replaces it with Spark’s new system over the coming months. The new cameras system will be installed shortly.

Map of west coast of the North Island [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Map of the north, east and south coasts of the South Island [PDF, 1.8 MB]

From 31 October 2023

Priority Group 2: Set net vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres in overall length fishing off the north, east, and south coasts of the South Island.

Priority Group 3: Trawl vessels less than or equal to 32 metres in overall length fishing off the north, east, and south coasts of the South Island (except those targeting scampi).

Map of west coast of the North Island [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Map of the north, east and south coasts of the South Island [PDF, 1.8 MB]

From 16 January 2024

Priority Group 4: All surface longline vessels fishing in any area.

From 26 June 2024

Priority Group 5: Bottom longline vessels fishing in northern New Zealand in the fishery management area 1 – Auckland (East).

Map of Fisheries Management Area 1 – North Island [PDF, 1.6 MB]

From 3 March 2025

Priority Group 6: All remaining bottom longline vessels fishing in any area.

Priority Group 7: All remaining trawl vessels less than or equal to 32 metres in overall length, fishing in any area, except those targeting scampi.

From 28 May 2025

Priority Group 8: All remaining set net vessels 8 metres or longer, fishing in any area.

Priority Group 9: All purse seine vessels fishing in any area.

Priority Group 10: All Danish seine vessels fishing in any area.

Update – 12 December 2025

On this page

Why on-board cameras?

Which vessels are operating on-board cameras?

When to operate on-board cameras

Timeline for the rollout of on-board cameras

Vessels Currently Required to Operate Cameras

From 1 August 2023

From 31 October 2023

From 16 January 2024

From 26 June 2024

From 3 March 2025

From 28 May 2025

On-board cameras user guides and resources

Frequently asked questions

Cabinet papers, briefings, consultations, and financial analysis

On-board camera regulations

Related pages

Contact us

MPI business units