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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Building Capacity for Seabird-Safe Fishing Across APEC Economies

New Zealand Department of Conservation (
Government
)
#OceanAction58741
    Description
    Description

    "New Zealand has been working through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Oceans and Fisheries Working Group to build the capacity of high seas longline fleets for seabird-safe fishing. This work is co-sponsored by Chile, People’s Republic of China, Mexico, Peru, Chinese Taipei, the United States, and Thailand. Projects include:
    • The Seabird-Safe Fishing Toolkit (the Toolkit). The Toolkit is an information website for fishers working to mitigate seabird bycatch. The Toolkit was developed by DOC in partnership with the Southern Seabirds Trust, and with funding from MPI Sustainable Food and Fibers Fund. The Toolkit was presented to the APEC Ocean Fisheries Working Group in February 2025. Next it will be translated and disseminated it to longline fishing industries.
    • APEC Seabird-Safe Fishing - Capacity Gap Analysis. Over 2025 and 2026, New Zealand will work with the longline industries of China and Chinese Taipei to explore the practical challenges and capacity gaps mitigating seabird bycatch, and opportunities to address these. Engagement with members of longline businesses and vessel operators in 2025/26 will inform the final published APEC report. It will set out recommendations for Governments, industries, NGO’s and funders to address key barriers to seabird-safe fishing. "

    Partners

    The New Zealand Department of Conservation (Government); Southern Seabirds Trust (Other relevant actor); Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (Intergovernmental Organization); Ministry for Primary Industries (Government); Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Government); the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels (Intergovernmental Organisation)

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
    Website translated into Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese and will be presented in an online presentation to end users including longline businesses from APEC economies.
    Research for the Capacity Gap Analysis will take place in China and Chinese Taipei
    Hold two day online workshop
    Produce final report for the Seabird Safe Fishing - Capacity Gap Analysis
    Financing (in USD)
    APEC funding - USD$63,610; MPI Sustainable Food and Fibers Fund - NZD$175
    In-kind contribution
    in-kind contributions from DOC and Southern Seabirds Trust (SST) including staff and technical expertise (Project Management, publishing and design work, international engagement and outreach
    Financing (in USD)
    New Zealand Nature Fund Funding granted to SST for the Seabird-Safe Fishing Toolkit - USD $70,000.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    01 July 2024 (start date)
    01 July 2026 (date of completion)
    Entity
    New Zealand Department of Conservation
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries
    Members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Oceans and Fisheries Working Group that have co-sponsored New Zealand's seabird projects. Tuna longline businesses and industries, NGOs and fisheries managers working to reduce seabird bycatch
    Ocean Basins
    South Pacific
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Sustainable fisheries
    Countries
    Chile
    Chile
    China
    China
    Mexico
    Mexico
    New Zealand
    New Zealand
    Peru
    Peru
    Thailand
    Thailand
    United States of America
    United States of America
    Contact Information

    Danica, International Manager