Fisheries management, aquaculture, and climate change
In a changing climate, managing fisheries and developing sustainable aquaculture is becoming more complex. We're building our understanding of the challenges fisheries and aquaculture face from climate change now and in the future, and how the sectors might need to change to ensure resilience.
We are already seeing the impacts of climate change on our land and sea, including both long-term gradual changes, and short term impacts such as extreme weather events. Both can affect the abundance and distribution of marine life, impacting how and what we grow and harvest from the sea.
Our work to support the industry
We're working to ensure sustainable fisheries management and support the sector's response to climate changes. We aim to:
- deliver research to understand and adapt to climate change in the marine environment
- engage directly with iwi and fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders on climate impacts
- communicate clearly about the research we do and engage on fisheries management options
- support the aquaculture industry to adapt to climate change by partnering and investing in breeding programs and hatcheries
- support good decision-making about where aquaculture happens.
How climate change is already affecting fisheries and aquaculture
We are already seeing the effects of climate change in our fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Examples include:
- some species appearing in waters further south than before
- warming ocean temperatures, affecting the areas suitable to grow some aquaculture species
- localised loss of habitat-forming species like kelp
- range expansion of longspine sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii) causing increased urchin barrens in northeastern New Zealand
- negative impacts on cold-water species living at the edge of their thermal limits, like blue cod.
A summary of the factors causing these changes is discussed in Chapter 12 of the '2021 aquatic environment and biodiversity annual review'.
Chapter 12 of the 2021 annual review [PDF, 3.8 MB]
Our research and work into climate change and fisheries
Fisheries climate change research, adaptation plans, and resources
Search for published research reports and stock statistics
Find details about new projects: fisheries research processes
Climate action is being taken across the primary industries
Climate change doesn't just affect fisheries – it impacts all primary industry sectors. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and supporting the primary sector to adapt to climate change.
