Knowledge gaps ‘complicate’ sustainable fishing, scientist says

Better ecological monitoring and use of genetics recommended in New Zealand

Sustainable management of New Zealand’s fish stocks is being “complicated” by gaps in research, a leading scientist has said.

Speaking at a Royal Society of New Zealand forum on sustainable fishing, Maren Wellenreuther, a science group leader at Plant and Food Research and a researcher at the University of Auckland, said there was “limited information” about many fish species in New Zealand. She said these knowledge gaps meant “some decisions are based on uncertain information”.