This indicator will aim to show the total fish stocks that exist within New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This helps us to understand the health of our marine environment and how we can sustainably use the ocean as a resource.
As a proxy, we have data on total allowable catch, which includes total allowable commercial catch (TACC), customary fishing, and recreational fishing.
This data is limited as a proxy as it represents the total amount that can be taken from each fish stock managed under New Zealand’s Quota Management System, rather than a measure of the fish stock itself. The data only represents the subset of fish species that are available for commercial, customary, and recreational fishing.
In 2019, New Zealand’s total allowable commercial catch was