|
Economically, hoki remains a cornerstone of New Zealand's seafood industry
Hoki at 25: The Fishery That Redefined Sustainable Seafood Worldwide
NEW ZEALAND
Monday, April 20, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
After 25 years of certification, New Zealand's hoki industry stands as a global benchmark for science-driven fisheries management.
.jpg)
Photo: MSC
A staple of fish and chips and a favorite on tables across New Zealand , hoki is widely known as a reliable, affordable meal. What is less widely understood is that this species underpins one of the longest-running sustainability success stories in global fisheries—reaching a major milestone in 2026 .
According to Seafood New Zealand , it has been 25 years since the country's hoki fishery became the first whitefish fishery in the world to achieve certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard. Now, it has secured its fifth recertification , reinforcing a record of long-term environmental performance.
Photo: MSC
This level of consistency reflects decades of collaboration between fishers , scientists , government regulators , and iwi (Māori communities) . Each group brings a different perspective, but all share a commitment to sustainable management.
The journey has not been without challenges. In the late 1990s and early 2000s , the western hoki stock came under pressure due to reduced survival rates among young fish. In response, authorities imposed significant cuts to catch limits and tightened management controls. Though difficult, these decisions proved effective, allowing the stock to recover to healthy levels over time.
.jpg)
Photo: MSC
Today, the fishery operates under New Zealand's Quota Management System , with hoki managed as two interconnected stocks— eastern and western . Scientific surveys, data modeling, and fishing reports are used to continuously assess stock health and guide catch limits.
Industry experience also plays a crucial role. In 2018 , fishing crews identified a decline in hoki abundance before it was fully reflected in official data. This led to a proactive, voluntary reduction of 35,000 tonnes in catch limits over two years—highlighting the sector's responsiveness.
 Sustainability efforts extend beyond stock management. The hoki fishery primarily uses midwater trawl methods , minimizing impact on the seabed, while monitoring shows limited interaction with protected or non-target species.
Photo: Sealord
Oversight has also improved significantly. High levels of observer coverage, electronic systems, and digital tracking reporting now provide a near real-time view of fishing activity, strengthening transparency and accountability.
Economically, hoki remains a cornerstone of New Zealand's seafood industry , generating approximately $230 million USD annually and supporting hundreds of jobs across harvesting, processing, and scientific research.
Lisa Futschek , Chief Executive of Seafood New Zealand , emphasized the people behind the achievement:
.png) "It's about the people behind the fishery. It is the skippers and crews out on the water, and the scientific community guiding their efforts.
“It reflects years of hard work and care. Achieving this milestone has not been easy – it has been earned, and it helps keep confidence strong in our hoki and its place on dinner plates in New Zealand and around the world.”
As global seafood demand continues to grow, hoki offers a compelling example of how science , industry , and regulation can align for long-term success.
Still, the industry is not standing still. The past 25 years have set a clear expectation: continued improvement, deeper scientific insight, and sustained collaboration will define the next chapter of this globally significant fishery.
🇯🇵Japanese Translation
25 Years of Maritime: The World’s Fisheries Industry Is Possible to Redefine the Fisheries Industry
It has been certified for 25 years and has established its status as the world's benchmark for science-led fishery management industry .
フィッシュアンドチップスのestablished fan であり、ニュージーランドの食庄で爱さThe existence of れるであるホキは, the hand で信頼できるmaterial and the knowledge of られている.しかし、この鱼が世のfisheryにおけるmostも长く続く続 possibilities Examples of success are の一つをBranch えていることは and あまり知られていない.そしてその歴史は2026 , important program を英えた.
Seafood New Zealand 's fishery, the world's first white fish fishery, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification has been certified for 25 years . Now, the 5th re-certification of the fishery industry has been achieved, and the long-term environmental management system has been changed.
It is the result of decades of cooperation between fishermen , scientists , government regulatory authorities , and the Maritime community.それぞれがdifferent なるViewpointをhold ちながらも、 holding続possibleなmanagement というCOMMON のGOAL している.
その道のりは选して平ではなかった. In the second half of the 1990s and the early 2000s , the survival rate of the western resources was low, and the survival rate of the fish was low. The authorities have significantly reduced the number of fisheries caught and strengthened the management system. Difficulty and decision-making, resolution and effect, time and resources, sound status and recovery.
Now, the fishing industry management system is under the management system. , ホキはEastern and Westernという Mutual relationship する2つのResources として Management されている. Scientific survey, fishing report, resource status evaluation of catch report, and utilization of catch settings.
The scene is very important and the results are very important. In 2018 , the fishermen's official formula clearly reflected the decrease in the previous fisheries. The company has taken the lead in the industry and cut the catch of 35,000 yuan in two years .これは、この分野が快に対応する文化をhold っていることをshow している.
The possibility of holding the 続 is the resource management of the group.ホキ Fishery Main でにMiddle layer トロール fishing methodが い ら れ て お り, bottom へ の influence を minimum limit に え て い る.また, protected species, non-elephant species, とのinteraction, limited であることがconfirmation されている.
The surveillance system has evolved greatly. Now we are sailing on the high-speed cutting joints, boating, electronic reporting, high-speed tracking, fishing It is necessary to strengthen the control of business activities and strengthen transparency and accountability.
経済面では、ホキはニュージーランドの中kernel of the fishery industry, about 230 million per year Thousands of fish are produced, caught, processed, and scientifically researched, and hundreds of people are employed.
The person responsible for Seafood New Zealand 's highest level of responsibility is the person behind the results, the people behind the results, and the importance of the work.
「これは Fishery を branch える人々のMonogatari です. 海に出る Captain やcrew member, そしてそのtakeりgroup みをguide く たちのexistent があります.
Years of hard work and hard work reflect the accumulation of considerations. The success of the program is easy, and the success is easy.そしてそれは、ニュージーランドdomestic food in the world Zhuo におけるホキへの信頼を maintains するhelps けとなっています. "
The world's demand for marine products is increasing, and the need for science , industry , and regulation is increasing.することでlong-term successがpossibilityであることをshows a powerful example となっている.
それでも、この Industryに「Complete」という考えはない. In the past 25 years , we have established benchmarks for each stage and have passed the test. Improvement of the environment, scientific knowledge of the industry, cooperation with the industry, and important fisheries in the world.
🇨🇳Simplified Chinese Translation
25-Year-Old Hocky Fish: A Model for Redefining Global Sustainable Fisheries
Twenty-five years after receiving certification , New Zealand’s hooki fish industry has become a global benchmark for science-driven fisheries management.
As a classic ingredient in fish and chips and a common choice on New Zealand tables, hooki fish is widely known for its affordability and consistent quality. However, what is less known is that this fish underpins one of the world's longest-running sustainable development success stories, reaching a significant milestone in 2026 .
According to Seafood New Zealand , 25 years have passed since the country's hooke fishery became the world's first whitefish fishery to receive Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification . Now, the fishery has completed its fifth recertification , further solidifying its long-standing record of environmental management.
This sustained achievement stems from decades of collaborative efforts by fishermen , scientists , government regulators , and the **Māori tribes (iwis). Despite their different roles, all parties are committed to the common goal of sustainable management.
The journey was not without its challenges. In the late 1990s and early 2000s , western hooke fish stocks faced pressure due to declining juvenile survival rates. In response, authorities drastically reduced catch quotas and strengthened management measures. While these decisions were not easy, they ultimately proved effective, allowing the stock to gradually recover to healthy levels.
Currently, this fishery operates under New Zealand's quota management system , with hookefish managed as two interconnected resource groups in the east and west . Scientific surveys, data modeling, and catch data are continuously used to assess resource status and establish catch limits.
Industry experience is equally crucial. In 2018 , fishermen noticed a decline in hooke populations before official assessments fully reflected the decline. Subsequently, the industry proactively took measures, voluntarily reducing its catch by 35,000 tonnes over two years , demonstrating its ability to anticipate problems.
Sustainability is not just about the quantity of resources. The hooki fishery primarily employs mid-water trawls , significantly reducing its impact on the seabed, while monitoring data shows extremely limited contact with non-target and protected species.
Significant progress has also been made in regulatory methods. Currently, through high-percentage observer coverage, electronic reporting systems, and digital tracking technologies, fisheries activities can be monitored in near real-time, greatly enhancing transparency and accountability.
On the economic front, hooki fish is a major pillar of New Zealand’s seafood industry , generating approximately $230 million in revenue annually and providing hundreds of jobs in fishing, processing and research .
Seafood New Zealand CEO Lisa Fuczek highlighted the people behind this achievement:
"This concerns the people who support this fishery. This includes both the captains and crew working at sea, as well as the scientific community that guides their work."
This reflects years of hard work and dedication. Achieving this milestone was no easy feat—it was earned through hard work and helps maintain people's confidence in hooki fish, ensuring its continued presence on tables in New Zealand and around the world.
With the continued growth in global demand for seafood, okki provides a powerful example of how long-term success can be achieved when science , industry , and regulation are aligned.
However, this does not mean the mission is complete. On the contrary, the past 25 years have only set a higher standard for the future—continuous improvement, in-depth scientific research, and enhanced cooperation will define the next stage of development for this globally significant fishery.
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
|
|
Print
