New Zealand - BEN2019-05 Development of a spatial decision support tool for managing the impacts of bottom fishing on in- zone, particularly vulnerable or sensitive habitats

Description

To develop the inputs for a decision support tool to support the spatial management of inshore and deepwater bottom fishing.
Many of New Zealand’s inshore and offshore fisheries target fish and invertebrate species living on or near the seabed. Mobile fishing gear used to harvest these species can significantly impact benthic habitats. Management objective MO7 of the National Fisheries Plan for Deepwater and Middle-depth Fisheries – Part 1A is to “Manage deepwater and middle-depth fisheries to avoid, remedy or mitigate the impacts of deepwater fisheries on the benthic habitat”. The draft inshore finfish plan includes an environmental objective to “Minimise adverse effects of fishing on the aquatic environment, including on biological diversity”.

Opportunity closing date

19 September 2019

Value of contract

to be confirmed