Deepwater Group Ltd is committed to the sustainable management of New Zealand's deepwater fisheries. Formed in September 2005, the company is an amalgamation of EEZ fisheries quota owners in New Zealand. A non-profit Organisation, Deepwater Group Ltd is working in partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries and with other interest groups to ensure New Zealand gains the maximum economic yields from New Zealand's deepwater fisheries resources managed within a long-term, sustainable framework.

Fisheries managed by Deepwater Group Ltd are those targeted commercially and usually fished at depths between 200 and 1200 metres.  These include orange roughy, oreo dory, hoki, hake, ling, squid and jack mackerel.

The New Zealand success story

The New Zealand seafood industry is an impressive success story.
As a major exporter it produces enough seafood for more than one billion meals each year around the world and it is recognised internationally as a pioneer in sustainable fisheries management.

Who We Are

Prior to September 2005 there were separate management companies for each of the hoki, squid and orange roughy fisheries in New Zealand.  That year the three companies agreed to amalgamate, combining deepwater interests in a single, efficient management company.

Deepwater Group Ltd shareholders include Anton's Seafoods Ltd, Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd, Independent Fisheries Ltd, Mariner Holdings, Ngai Tahu Seafood Resources, Ngapuhi Fisheries Ltd, Ngati Porou Seafoods, Sanford Ltd, Sealord Group Ltd, Solander Fisheries Ltd, Southern Cross Quota Holdings, Talley's Group Ltd, Te Ohu Kaimoana and Vela Fishing Ltd.  Each shareholder owns deepwater quota and each has one share in the Deepwater Group Ltd company.

Current Board Members

The Directors of the Deepwater Group board are elected by shareholders. Current board members of Deepwater Group Limited are:

• Milan Barbarich (Antons Seafoods Ltd)
• Russell Barron (Southern Cross Quota Holdings Ltd)
• Stephen Bishop (Independent Fisheries Ltd)
• Geoffrey Burgess (Vela Fishing Ltd)
• Christopher Horton (Ocean Products Ltd) (Chairman)
• Charles Hufflett (Solander Maritime Ltd)
• Gregory Johansson (Sanford Ltd)
• Andre Kotzikas (United Fisheries Ltd)
• Craig Lawson (Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Ltd)
• Mark Soboil (Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd)
• Andrew Talley (Talley's Group Ltd)
• Ross Tocker (Sealord Group Ltd)

Funding

Shareholders agree to an annual business plan which is funded by shareholders based on their quota holdings.  This approach successfully ensures proportionate representation among shareholders in decision-making and in governance, as well as commercial disciplines in the provision of management and research services by the Deepwater Group.

What We Do

The Deepwater Group provides the vision and leadership needed to ensure New Zealand's deepwater fisheries are sustainable, managed in an environmentally and socially responsible way, and profitable.  The Deepwater Group mission is to "optimise the sustainable economic value of our deepwater fisheries." Our vision is to continue "To be recognised for excellence in fisheries management" through creating the best managed 350 GWT multi species fishery in the world.

Amalgamation of deepwater interests enables efficiencies and economies of scale across the management of deepwater fisheries, including focused liaison with Government and interested parties, development and implementation of fisheries management plans for the main species, and more focused and unified efforts in researching and resolving environmental issues. See Sustainable Seafood.

Activities of the Deepwater Group include:

• Representing the interests of quota holders with Government and government departments
• Undertaking fisheries research and stock assessment programs
• Implementing and monitoring fisheries management programs
• Working on multiple fronts to manage and minimise any adverse environmental affects
• Ensuring integrity at all levels of process and engagement
• Maintaining fisheries management standards that meet or exceed those required for Marine Stewardship Council Certification

Our Challenges

The responsible management of New Zealand's deepwater fisheries has a strong foundation in the world renowned Quota Management System.  While this provides a framework for sustainability and the protection of a precious resource for the future, the seafood industry, like all producers of food products, is faced with many other challenges in the current domestic and international environment. Globally these challenges include, changing macro economics, increasing energy costs, rising customer awareness of environmental issues and the need to incorporate sustainable practices at all levels of production and delivery of the product.

The Deepwater Group is structured to meet these challenges through:

• Effective governance
• Sustainability and safety
• On-going learning
• Co-operation and collaboration

Behaving responsibly

New Zealand deepwater fisheries have a strong international reputation for sustainability. The Deepwater Group is committed to further enhancing the trust of consumers, regulators and independent arbiters - the judges of whether or not we are meeting increasingly high expectations of safe and responsible management of our resources.  Those efforts are already visible, for example, in the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of one of our flagship fisheries, hoki.

Involvement in debate

Learning more - the science

Millions of dollars are spent each year by quota owners on increasing understanding about deepwater fishery stock levels and sustainable harvest options.  This vital information assists in regularly revised catch level adjustments when appropriate and is one of the cornerstones of ensuring those fisheries remain healthy and sustainable.