Deepwater Fisheries and Aspects of Their Impact on Seamount Habitat in New Zealand

Deepwater fisheries for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) and oreos (Pseudocyttus maculatus) in New Zealand waters have been established for 2030 years. Over time the fisheries have become more focused on seamounts, where aggregations of the fish can occur for spawning or feeding. The catch of orange roughy in particular from these features has increased from about 30% of the total catch in 1985 to 80% by 1995, and has since stabilized at 6070%. There has been active searching for seamount habitat, and by 2000 about 80% of known seamounts in the appropriate depth range had been fished. In New Zealand there are widespread concerns that seamount habitat needs to be managed carefully. In May 2001, 19 seamounts were given some protection through a ban on bottom trawling.