UN Ranks NZ Fisheries Among Most Sustainable Globally, Says Minister

New Zealand’s fisheries have received global recognition for sustainability in a recent report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which found the Southwest Pacific—home to New Zealand’s waters—to have the second-highest levels of sustainably managed fish stocks in the world. The news has been welcomed by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones, who called it “strong recognition of the sector’s hard work.”

UN Report Validates New Zealand’s Stewardship

The UN FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report, widely regarded as a gold standard in assessing the health of marine fisheries, evaluated sustainability practices across global regions. It concluded that 85.5% of fish stocks in the Southwest Pacific, including New Zealand and parts of Australia, are fished sustainably—far above the global average of 62.3%.

“This confirms what we already knew,” said Minister Jones. “New Zealand’s Quota Management System works well to keep our fisheries sustainable and continues to be the best framework for managing fisheries globally.”

The Quota Management System (QMS), introduced in 1986, has long been considered a pioneering model. It limits catches to scientifically determined quotas and provides economic incentives for long-term sustainability, earning international praise.

Generational Efforts Yield Results

Minister Jones emphasized that this global recognition was not achieved by chance.

“It is the result of generations of effort. Fishers, scientists, kaitiaki, volunteers and regulators all work hard to keep our fisheries sustainable.”

From traditional Māori guardianship (kaitiakitanga) to modern technological tools such as electronic monitoring, the country’s approach combines innovation, regulation, and cultural respect.

New Zealand’s fisheries also supply a large proportion of high-value exports, including species like hoki, orange roughy, and rock lobster. The nation’s global reputation for sustainable kaimoana (seafood) is critical for maintaining market access and consumer trust abroad.

A Platform for Policy Enhancement

While the latest results affirm New Zealand’s strong foundation, Minister Jones says the country can’t afford to rest on its laurels. “These results are incredibly positive, but I believe that our fishery management system can be even better,” he said.

To that end, the Government has proposed reforms to the Fisheries Act to further streamline operations and boost productivity within the sector. These include:

• Introducing more flexibility in quota use for small operators

• Reducing bureaucratic hurdles for innovation in gear and vessel operations

• Enhancing co-governance models with Māori to reflect Treaty obligations

Jones noted that the proposed legislative changes are intended to preserve core sustainability principles while unlocking economic potential.

International Recognition and Local Pride

Industry leaders and environmental groups alike have welcomed the FAO findings, seeing them as a validation of years of cooperative effort. Māori fisheries organisations, in particular, have pointed to the data as affirmation of indigenous stewardship traditions aligned with ecological balance.

“This level of sustainability is a credit to the unique collaboration between customary rights holders, science-based regulation, and industry compliance,” said a spokesperson for Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Māori Fisheries Trust.

The findings also bolster New Zealand’s influence in international policy forums, particularly as debates over climate resilience, ocean health, and food security intensify globally.

A Sustainable Future for Generations

As oceans around the world face mounting threats from overfishing, climate change, and pollution, New Zealand’s approach provides a working example of how economic prosperity and ecological responsibility can co-exist.

“We have a duty not just to our economy, but to future generations,” Minister Jones concluded. “This report confirms we’re on the right path—and we’re committed to staying on it.