'...measuring the full benefits will take time, but the programme is already yielding results'

New Zealand's Onboard Camera Programme: Enhancing Transparency and Science in Commercial Fishing

NEW ZEALAND
Wednesday, December 03, 2025, 09:00 (GMT + 9)

Record-Breaking Surveillance System Delivers Verified Data and Builds Public Trust

New Zealand has established the world's largest commercial fisheries camera programme, with 219 onboard units now operating across the inshore fleet, according to Seafood New Zealand's General Manager Inshore, Tiff Bock. This extensive surveillance system, the rollout of which was completed midway through the 2024–25 year by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), is proving to be a significant value-add for the sector by enhancing transparency, building public trust, and opening doors for smarter science and better management.

System Performance and Initial Findings

Between July 2024 and June 2025, the cameras recorded over 37,000 fishing events. The regulator, MPI, has reviewed approximately 27 percent of this footage, primarily focusing on protected species interactions, high-risk areas, and a mix of random checks.

• Encouraging Feedback: Early feedback from MPI has been positive, confirming that the vast majority of fishers are adhering to regulations.

• Sharpened Reporting: The cameras have improved the accuracy of catch and bycatch reporting. While some initial numbers (such as a reported 950 percent increase, which often translated to a minimal change of roughly one fish per event) were initially presented without adequate context, the verified data confirms that all activity falls within expected and sustainable limits.

• Reliable Baseline: The verified data provides a reliable baseline never before available, which is crucial for identifying areas needing further research, additional support for fishers, and refinement of management approaches.

Enabling Smarter Management and Research

The camera footage is actively supporting more informed decision-making:

• Reducing Waste: A practical example is the current proposal under consultation to allow surface longliners (approximately 20 vessels in New Zealand) equipped with cameras or human observers to land dead marlin instead of discarding them. An estimated 60–80 marlin per year fall into this category, and the footage would ensure only those already dead are retained, reducing waste and providing local product for New Zealanders.

• Industry-Led Science: Verified footage also enables more industry-led research by confirming fisher adherence to scientific protocols. This capability supported the first industry-led trawl survey in Area 2, where three vessels conducted scientific tows to monitor fish species.

Photo: courtesy New Zealand Geography

Challenges and Robustness

While the system is proving successful, the rollout faced initial challenges, including technician shortages causing installation delays and cabling issues that led to screen interference. However, the system is demonstrating strong resilience:

• Low Failure Rates: The equipment is robust, with failure rates proving lower than anticipated.

• High-Quality Footage: Footage quality is consistently high enough to support confident review and decision-making.

Tiff Bock states that measuring the full benefits will take time, but the programme is already yielding results. The greater transparency brought by the cameras creates the potential for increased flexibility, innovation, and industry-led science, ultimately moving beyond mere observation to enable positive change.

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