We work with many other organisations to protect and restore the health of the ocean. Our marine programme focuses on promoting sustainable fisheries, establishing Marine Protected Areas, saving Endangered seabirds and protecting benthic environments.
It is estimated that more than three-quarters of the world’s fisheries are fully exploited or overfished.
Each year inefficient, destructive and/or illegal fishing practices kill millions of fish and marine animals as unwanted bycatch.
Poor fisheries management, exacerbated by climate change, is the largest threat to ocean life and habitats ... and to the livelihoods and diets of more than a billion people.
Globally, as much as 50% of seafood sourced from the ocean is thrown away or lost in the process.
As much as 20% of seafood consumed is mislabelled as the wrong species.
As the world transitions towards more sustainable seafood sourcing, it is important that policies and fishing laws are adhered to. Seafood supply chain transparency can help ensure that those policies and laws are followed through the use of traceability.
Aotearoa’s ocean is home to around 65,000 species and is responsible for about 80% of our indigenous biodiversity. Yet less than 1% of our marine and coastal biodiversity is fully protected compared with over 30% of our land.
We need to create Marine Protected Areas (MPA) that conserve at least one third of each habitat within a network of effectively managed areas. We believe our network of MPA should uphold the rights of indigenous and local communities and include Māori cultural practice.
The Global Ocean Alliance is calling for 30% of our global ocean to be protected by 2030. It’s essential Aotearoa is committed to reaching this goal. A thriving, resilient ocean is possible, if we work together!
WWF is working with government, business, industry, fisheries, iwi, hapū, and communities to ensure future generations can benefit from a thriving and resilient ocean. We strong advocate for 30% of our ocean to be protected by 2030. And have for many years been campaigning for the establishment of the Kermadec Rangitāhua Ocean Sanctuary.
Marine Protected Areas are protected from extractive impacts, such as fishing and mining. However, people can still swim in and enjoy these areas.
For MPA to provide full benefits, we must also prevent pollution from land-based sources and have effective management, monitoring, and governance systems in place. When MPA are created in an effective network, they help our ocean to be resilient to climate change, protect biodiversity, and can provide the foundation for sustainable fisheries.
MPA support fisheries through the ‘spill over’ of fish from inside the area swimming outside. They also benefit fisheries through allowing fish to grow to their maximum size, producing exponentially more eggs than smaller fish. Many of these eggs will travel outside the MPA and populate other areas.
Seamounts (undersea mountains) are home to dense corals. They are nurseries and breeding grounds for all kinds of ocean life and are critical for the wellbeing of our planet.
Yet right now, seabed trawling is destroying thousands of ancient deep sea coral each year.
New Zealand is the only country in the South Pacific that allows this destructive and outdated fishing practice. Ecosystems are in crisis and time is running out to save our ocean.
We must act now to protect coral and stop seabed trawling on seamounts and similar places.
Help us put pressure on the government to remove bottom trawling, scallop dredging and Danish seining from the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Help protect New Zealand marine species and their habitats by adopting a penguin, albatross or dolphin
Help end plastic pollution in the ocean by showing your support for an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty.
