NZ proposal to weaken deep-sea coral protections rejected at Pacific fisheries meeting
Monday, 16 March 2026
Ocean conservationists say New Zealand has faced international embarrassment after its proposal to increase the amount of deep-sea corals that trawlers can catch was rejected by other South Pacific nations.
The change, which critics said would allow greater destruction of fragile deep-sea ecosystems, drew no support from other member countries at a recent South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation meeting.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said he was “disappointed”, but indicated the Government would continue pushing the change next year.
“New Zealand will be making the same proposal … to ensure our commercial fishers in the South Pacific are not hampered by needlessly restrictive rules while still preventing significant adverse effects on the marine ecosystem.”
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The proposal had drawn criticism from conservation groups before the meeting in Panama earlier this month.
Ocean consultant Karli Thomas, from environmental umbrella group Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), said the proposal “should never have been made in our name”.
She pointed to a Greenpeace poll, released last month, which said 78% of respondents supported a ban on bottom trawling in the South Pacific high seas.
“It’s time the Government listened to the people,” she said.
DSCC Marine campaigner Barry Weeber said the Government was increasingly isolated on the issue.
He said ministers were ignoring scientific advice, including research undertaken by New Zealand scientists, which indicated stronger protections were needed for vulnerable deep-sea habitats.
Separately, New Zealand secured continued access to the South Pacific orange roughy fishery after its proposal to retain existing catch limits was adopted without opposition.
Jones said the decision “supports jobs in New Zealand and our economy, and makes a real difference for our fishing industry”.
It comes as the Government considers closing parts of the Chatham Rise orange roughy fishery to protect spawning grounds and help rebuild declining stocks.
Jones said last week the fishery - one of New Zealand's most valuable - has come under increasing pressure and requires careful management to ensure long-term sustainability.
Last year, commercial catch limits in the fishery were significantly reduced as an initial step toward rebuilding stocks.
'At that time, I also directed officials to investigate options to protect orange roughy spawning areas in the fishery to help numbers grow,' Jones said.
Officials have developed three potential closure areas of varying sizes to protect the main orange roughy spawning sites on the Chatham Rise and are calling for feedback.
Last year, the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) challenged the Government in the High Court over the management of orange roughy.
ELI’s director of research and legal Matt Hall said New Zealand managed the world’s largest orange roughy fisheries, but they had been very poorly managed.
“To prevent repeated cycles of collapse, closures must be implemented in line with the requirements of the Fisheries Act monitored effectively and enforced where necessary.”
But a spokesperson for industry body Seafood NZ said the East and South Chatham Rise fishery had already undergone significant management changes, including substantial catch reductions, “and it is important that any additional measures are carefully assessed to ensure they are effective, science-based, and proportionate”.