Sustainability and Safety

New Zealand seafood products have a strong reputation for consistent high quality, food safety, and for being harvested using world's best environmentally sustainable practices.  Consumers wanting reassurance about a safe and sustainable resource need look no further than the flagship New Zealand deepwater species, hoki. 

In March 2001 the New Zealand hoki fishery became the world's first major whitefish stock to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Requiring re-certification every 5 years the hoki fishery was recertified in 2007.

Through the QMS, New Zealand's deepwater fisheries can be managed in a way that achieves maximum sustainable harvest levels and economics.  The MSC certification also demonstrates the Deepwater Group's aims to meet and exceed national and international expectations for environmental and social performance.

The Deepwater Group also places a strong focus on the health of the marine ecosystem and environment.  Harvest practices are in place to minimise adverse effects on the marine environment and to maintain its biological diversity.  These efforts include a commitment to protect marine mammals, seabirds and benthic habitats.

The Deepwater Group plays a leading role in New Zealand with technologies to mitigate interactions between New Zealand sea lions and trawls such as developing a Sea Lion Exclusion Device (SLED), is an active participant in Southern Seabird Solutions and has played a key role in the development of Benthic Protection Areas.