61413 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries

61413 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: Will the Minister support the closure of all seamounts and features in New Zealand waters to trawling, given their biodiversity value, their significance as habitats for fisheries management (including orange roughy spawning areas), and their vulnerability to bottom trawling and if not why?

Hon Shane Jones: No. 31 percent of New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone is already closed to bottom trawling and this area includes 52 percent of seamounts and 28 percent of underwater topographic features.