Skip to main content
Last reviewed:

ROLLOUT UPDATE – 11 April 2023

Our service provider, Spark Business Group (Spark), has informed us there is more work required to ensure the system fully meets all requirements.

If you are a fisher, there is nothing you need to do. MPI will contact each affected vessel owner directly to consider if exemptions are needed, on a case-by-case basis. When the time comes, MPI will also advise individual vessels of the new installation and go-live dates.

MPI remains committed to the rollout on up to 300 vessels earmarked for the camera system, working closely with Spark on the final details. Updates on go-live dates will be made on this page in the section 'Timeline for installing on-board cameras'

A guide for vessel owners and crew

If you are a vessel owner or crew and would like general information about the programme and rollout, download our 2-page, printable guide.

On-board cameras: A guide for vessel owners and crew [PDF, 1.3 MB]

On this page

Why on-board cameras?

Cameras are 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
  • more confident management decisions.

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. 

Protecting your privacy

Fisheries New Zealand is committed to ensuring the privacy, security, and confidentiality of all the information we collect, hold, and use. Find out how we'll manage the information we collect through on-board cameras and how it will be protected.

Privacy and on-board cameras

Exemptions for on-board cameras

There are rare situations where it may be impractical or unreasonable for a vessel to comply with the on-board camera regulations. For example, if there is a failure of any part of the camera equipment or some other aspect of the camera system. A vessel may require an exemption to be able to continue fishing activities. We have more information on the criteria for exemptions and how the process works.

Exemptions for on-board cameras

Next steps for fishers and installation process

For owners and operators of vessels that need to have cameras installed, below is a step-by-step guide for what happens next and how the installation process works.

  1. Initial email and information pack from MPI – If we think your vessel may require on-board cameras, we will contact you and provide an initial set of information about the camera system and common questions people have.
  2. Vessel owners receive a phone call – A time is booked for an on-board assessment at a time that suits the vessel operator.
  3. On-board installation assessment – Aimex’s team of marine engineers will visit the vessel and conduct the on-board assessment.
  4. Vessel installation plan – A detailed installation plan is created for each vessel owner to approve.
  5. Installation – Based on the vessel installation plan and the timeframes agreed with the vessel owner, a suitable time will be booked to install the camera system.
  6. Support resources – Spark will provide vessel owners with a quick reference guide and an on-boarding kit containing general information for crew, operational details of the cameras, signage, and answers to frequently asked questions.
  7. Spark’s 24/7 ongoing support on 0800 22 56 74 – Fishers can call for help should there be any issues with the system after it is installed.

On-board cameras: A guide for vessel owners and crew [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Things to note

  • Fisheries New Zealand has engaged Spark business group to provide the technology, the cameras, the software, and the transmission process. Spark’s installers will carry out the installation process on each vessel.
  • Skippers will be able to see what is being recorded by the cameras, through an on-vessel monitor that is installed for their use. This monitor will also display the available memory and any relevant system messages for the skipper.
  • The system requires minimal interaction from skippers. It is a closed, automated system that requires no manual operation, apart from a brief system check at the beginning and end of each trip.
  • Camera locations will be confirmed with skippers prior to installation and will focus only on areas where relevant fishing activity takes place.
  • Footage uploading will also occur automatically when the boat is in range of a 4G network connection. This means that skippers will not need to manually send storage drives to MPI as part of the usual operation of the system.

Sample images

The following images provide some examples of the actual camera system that will be installed, sample images of the camera system, and examples of the footage they can capture.

If you have any further questions, email onboardcameras@mpi.govt.nz

Camera, deck layout, and sample images.

Sample images of on-board camera footage.

Wider rollout of on-board cameras

On 17 June 2021, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries announced that up to 300 inshore fishing vessels will be fitted with cameras by the end of 2024.

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:

  1. Cameras will be installed on up to 300 vessels based on the fishing methods used, locations fished, and risk posed to protected species.
  2. The installation sequence will begin in the second half of 2022 with trawl and set net vessels fishing off the west coast of the North Island.
  3. A total of about $10 million will be recovered from quota holders over the 2023 to 2024 and the 2024 to 2025 fishing years. No contribution will be sought during the 2022 to 2023 fishing year.

Following the transition period, from the 2025 to 2026 fishing year cost recovery from industry will be aligned with standard fisheries cost recovery provisions, with the amount to be levied determined closer to the time.

The installation of on-board cameras will take about 24 months to complete.

Government media release: Rollout of cameras on fishing vessels to begin – Beehive

Vessels that will have cameras installed 

All inshore vessels using these fishing methods will have cameras installed:

  • surface longline
  • bottom longline
  • purse seine
  • Danish seine.

Cameras will also be installed on:

  • trawl vessels less than or equal to 32 metres in length except those targeting scampi
  • set net vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres in length.

 

 

TIMELINE FOR INSTALLING ON-BOARD CAMERAS

We have confirmed a priority order for installation. Cameras will first be placed on vessels that pose the greatest risk to protected species. Unless an exemption is or has been issued by MPI (done on a case-by-case basis for individual vessels), cameras need to be installed and begin transmitting footage from the dates and areas outlined below. Note, these dates may be subject to change and will be updated on this page, as well as communicated directly to fishers well in advance of each group’s go-live dates.

From May 2023 (date to be confirmed)

  1. Trawl vessels less or equal to 32 metres in overall length fishing off the west coast of the North Island (except those targeting scampi), and set net vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres in overall length fishing of the west coast of the North Island.

14 June 2023

  1. 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.
  2. 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).

29 November 2023

  1. All surface longline vessels fishing in any area.
  2. Bottom longline vessels fishing in northern New Zealand in the fishery management area 1-Auckland (East).

5 June 2024

  1. All remaining bottom longline vessels fishing in any area.
  2. All remaining trawl vessels less than or equal to 32 metres in overall length (except those targeting scampi), fishing in any area.

27 November 2024

  1. All remaining set net vessels greater than or equal to 8 metres in overall length, fishing in any area.
  2. All purse seine vessels fishing in any area.
  3. All Danish seine vessels fishing in any area.

We will provide more specific information about the rollout as soon as possible.

Area maps

West Coast – North Island [PDF, 1.7 MB]

North, East and South Coast – South Island [PDF, 1.8 MB]

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

Spark Business Group confirmed as the supplier of on-board cameras

Fisheries New Zealand has selected Spark Business Group as our supplier for the cameras. Spark Business Group is well experienced with this technology and is working closely with Fisheries New Zealand and industry representatives to design the broader rollout approach.

We will ensure fishers are closely involved in the design of the rollout approach to ensure there is as minimal disruption as possible. We plan to hold a series of workshops and training sessions ahead of any installations. We'll provide more details about these events soon.

Cabinet papers and other information relating to the decision

Wider rollout of on-board cameras on commercial fishing vessels: Proposals for regulatory change [PDF, 900 KB]

Regulatory impact statement: Wider rollout of on-board cameras [PDF, 1.8 MB]

Wider rollout of on-board cameras consultation: Summary of responses [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Financial report

To inform advice on the wider rollout of on-board cameras, Fisheries New Zealand commissioned independent research into the financial structure and profitability of the inshore fishing industry. This research was a desktop study and the results provide a high level view of cost structures and profitability of fishers. It used various data sources, including data provided by Fisheries New Zealand. This data has certain caveats and limitations that must be taken into account when considering the research findings.

Given the diverse and complex business structures in the fishing industry, the results may not reflect the financial position of actual fishing businesses.

Financial analysis of inshore fisheries: Profitability and cost incidence of the wider rollout of the on-board cameras programme [PDF, 2.5 MB]

On-board camera regulations

Fisheries (Electronic Monitoring on Vessels) Regulations 2017 – NZ Legislation

Fisheries (Electronic Monitoring on Vessels) Amendment Regulations 2020 – NZ Legislation

Fisheries (Electronic Monitoring on Vessels) Circular 2022 [PDF, 273 KB]

Schedule 1 of the Fisheries (Electronic Monitoring on Vessels) Regulations 2017

Find out more

For information about the initial proof of concept, privacy provisions, and other matters, refer to:

The 2019 proof of concept for the rollout of on-board cameras

Who to contact

If you have questions about on-board cameras for commercial fishing vessels, email onboardcameras@mpi.govt.nz

MPI business units