New data published on the Ministry for Primary Industries' website shows the trawled area within New Zealand's territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone represented 1.7% of the total area in the 2024/25 fishing year.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced the bottom trawl footprint data. "I know the topic of bottom trawling provokes strong reactions from some but the facts are that the area impacted by trawling is extremely limited and has remained relatively stable for decades. That means the environmental effects of trawling are also contained," Jones said.
Most of the trawled area had been previously trawled and the activity is concentrated in specific fishing grounds. Around 70% of commercially caught fish comes from bottom trawl fisheries.
The fishing industry is worth $1.57 billion in exports and directly employs around 9000 people. Jones said he would "continue to support an industry that supports regional economies and jobs".
Fisheries officials closely monitor the trawl footprint and work with industry to further reduce the effects of bottom trawling. Officials are developing innovative ways to modify trawl gear or use alternative fishing methods, such as potting or lining, to catch some fish species currently caught by trawl.