Habitats of particular significance for fisheries management

Environmental principles in the Fisheries Act

The Fisheries Act 1996 has 3 environmental principles. They are listed in section 9 of the Act.

They require us to consider the wider environment and to take the 3 environmental principles into account when making decisions. The principles relate to:

• associated or dependent species (section 9a)
• the diversity of the aquatic environment (section 9b)
• habitats of particular significance for fisheries management (section 9c).

Section 9 of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Guidance for habitats of particular significance for fisheries management

We've produced a document that guides how we consider section 9c of the Act. It supports our understanding of what is a habitat of particular significance. The guidance document outlines:

• the process for identifying the habitats and who will be involved
• how to determine the risks to these habitats
• if needed, how to avoid, remedy, or mitigate any adverse effects of fishing.

Guidance on the identification and protection of habitats of particular significance [PDF, 840 KB]

Defining habitats of particular significance for fisheries management

We interpret section 9c of the Act to mean that a habitat of particular significance is "an area or areas and with attributes that are important for fisheries management in that they are of especially great importance in supporting life-history stages of fisheries resources". 

What makes these areas especially important is their unique combinations of attributes, such as water depth, temperature, the presence of certain seafloor habitats, or connections that support life-history stages of fisheries resources, and more than so than other areas. 

An area must be particularly significant to be included, not just important or significant. Our guidance document has more information.

Habitats of particular significance for fisheries management may include:

• nursery areas for larvae and juveniles
• adult feeding areas
• spawning areas
• migratory corridors
• specific areas to which species are highly restricted.

For example, nursery habitats can be especially important for juvenile fish where they contribute high numbers of individuals to the adult population. These areas also support higher densities of individuals, higher growth rates, increased survival, or higher levels of recruitment (compared to other juvenile habitats). Nursery habitats can be considered particularly significant for supporting the productivity of the species during a life history stage when natural mortality of these fish is thought to be high.

Strong connectivity between spawning areas and nursery areas can enhance their performance in supporting the productivity of species. Safeguarding these areas improves species resilience and survival.

Protecting habitats of particular significance for fisheries management

Fisheries New Zealand has taken the word "protect" in section 9(c) in the context of habitats of particular significance to mean taking measures, if needed, that would avoid, remedy, or mitigate any adverse effect of fishing that could undermine the particular significance of the habitat in supporting life-history stages of fisheries resources. This approach reflects our obligations under section 8 of the Act.

Not all  habitats of particular significance will be impacted by or exposed to adverse effects of fishing, and in those cases, fisheries management action will not be required. Specific measures may need to be put in place under the Fisheries Act to protect the area if there is a risk of adverse effects on the habitat.

Some of the activities that may have an adverse effect on habitats of particular significance are not managed under the Fisheries Act, such as pollutants or sedimentation from land.

Register of habitats of particular significance for fisheries management

We have developed a register, outlining the areas we have identified as habitats of particular significance. It will be further developed in stages.

The register table provides the habitat's name, the life-history stage for the species it supports, and a link to the map showing its location.

The first set of habitats of particular significance for fisheries management has a focus on spawning and nursery grounds for snapper, although some of these areas are also important for other species.

Summary information that supported identification is provided alongside the register (unless the information has been provided to us with the request that it is not shared more widely). Supporting information includes the size of each area, a description of why the habitat is particularly significant, a description of the habitat, and the sensitivity of the habitat to impacts that can be caused by different activities. We can use this information when considering the impacts of activities to help identify where there may be a risk of adverse effects on habitats of particular significance.

The register and information that supported identification of the habitats will help inform our fisheries management advice. The register will also help other agencies, like councils, identify and manage non-fishing impacts on habitats of particular significance.

Maps of the habitats of particular significance for fisheries management and summaries of supporting evidence for their inclusion on the register [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Development of the register

Evidence for further potential habitats of particular significance for fisheries management is being considered. We'll be reviewing the evidence with experts to make sure the information included on the register is robust. Updates to the register will be published on this page.