Vessel Management Planning

Traditionally trawlers that process their catch at sea discharge some or all of their offal as they fish. This practice draws seabirds around the stern where they are at risk of being hit by the steel cables (warps) that tow the net through the water. Seabirds are also at risk when they try to remove fish from the net when it is near the surface. In 2006 the newly established Deepwater Group (the industry group overseeing New Zealand's deep-sea trawl fisheries) recognised the seriousness of the issue and tasked two operational and solution-focused people, Richard Wells and John Cleal to address it on their behalf.

"You can't manage seabirds, but you can manage people"

Read or download the case study.

Credit: Richard Wells