Science Centres: Fisheries

The UNEP/WCMC report.

The threat to deepsea corals from bottom trawling is a hot environmental topic. A major report by a NIWA-led international team brings the latest scientific knowledge to the debate.

Deepsea fishing tends to be concentrated around seamounts (undersea volcanoes), because seamounts are often rich in commercial species like orange roughy. Cold-water coral species also make seamounts their home, but these corals are very vulnerable to damage by bottom trawlers. Coral habitats form a vital part of deepwater ecosystems. They are also an important element of open ocean biodiversity because they provide habitat for the juvenile phase of many species.

By combining their knowledge on the location of seamounts, cold-water corals, and deepsea fishing activities, the report’s authors have been able to identify areas within international fishing zones which are both environmentally valuable and likely to be particularly at risk as deepsea fisheries expand. Policymakers involved in regional fisheries management now have this information to use as a tool. It will enable them to identify vulnerable areas where the effects of bottom trawling may need to be managed. This is particularly relevant to New Zealand and Australia, as both countries work with Pacific nations to develop and manage their high seas fisheries.