Orange Roughy Third MSC Surveillance Audit 2025

The New Zealand orange roughy trawl fisheries are certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, an internationally recognised benchmark for sustainable and well-managed fisheries. This certification currently covers the ORH 3B Northwest Chatham Rise and ORH 7A (including Westpac Bank) fisheries.

This page provides information relating to the current MSC Surveillance Audit of these fisheries. For each five-year reassessment and annual surveillance audit, the Deepwater Council prepares a Fisheries Snapshot (formerly Situation Report) and publishes all relevant non-confidential information provided to the assessment team. Supporting reports and assessment documents are available below.

In October 2023, the Deepwater Council voluntarily suspended ORH 3B East and South Chatham Rise (ESCR) from the MSC programme pending completion of a stock assessment. In the meantime, the Council developed a Fisheries Improvement Plan (FIP) for the fishery. Progress against the FIP can be tracked through MSC’s Track a Fishery programme.

Fisheries Snapshot

MRAG Americas Reports

  • 1st Surveillance Report (Dec 2023)
  • 2nd Surveillance Report (Feb 2025)
  • 3rd Surveillance Report (Jan 2026)

Certificate

Certificate of Conformity
Issued: 2 August 2022
Expires: 1 August 2027

Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)

Key P1 References - Sustainable Fish Stocks​

Please contact us if any of these links are not working on [email protected].

Cordue, P. L. (2014). A Management Strategy Evaluation for orange roughy. ISL Client Report prepared for Deepwater Group. 42 p. Retrieved from https://www.seafood.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MPI_2014_Support-for-Harvest-Control-Rule.pdf

Cordue, P. L. (2019). Review of the Harvest Control Rule for orange roughy fisheries in New Zealand. ISL client report for Deepwater Group. 28 p. Retrieved from https://www.seafood.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-Cordue-2019-HCR-Review-Final.pdf

Dunn, M. R. (2024). Assessment of the Challenger Plateau orange roughy stock for 2024. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2024/58. 42  p. Retrieved from https://www.sprfmo.int/assets/Meetings/02-SC/12th-SC-2024/Deepwater/SC12-DW05-NZL-Assessment-of-the-Challenger-Plateau-orange-roughy-stock-for-2024.pdf

Dunn, M. R., Doonan, I.J., and Anderson, O.F. (2025). Additional analyses for orange roughy (ORH 3B). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2025/18. 43 p. Retrieved from FAR 2025/18 Additional analyses for orange roughy (ORH 3B)

Escobar-Flores, P.C. and Maurice, A. (2024). Estimation of the abundance of orange roughy on the southwest Challenger Plateau (ORH 7A including Westpac Bank). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2024/26. 61 p. Retrieved from https://fs.fish.govt.nz/Page.aspx?pk=113&dk=25743

Fisheries New Zealand. (2024). Medium Term Research Plan for Deepwater Fisheries 2024/25 to 2029/30. Fisheries New Zealand Information Paper No: 2024/03. 42 p. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/21746-medium-term-research-plan-for-deepwater-fisheries

Fisheries New Zealand. (2025). Fisheries Assessment Plenary May 2025 Volume 2: Orange Roughy (ORH 3B). Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from Orange roughy (ORH 3B) – Fisheries Assessment Plenary May 2024 Volume 2 (mpi.govt.nz)

Fisheries New Zealand. (2025a). Fisheries Assessment Plenary May 2024 Volume 2: Orange Roughy (ORH 7A). Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from Orange roughy (ORH 7A) – Fisheries Assessment Plenary May 2024 Volume 2 (mpi.govt.nz)

Fisheries New Zealand. (2011). Operational Guidelines for New Zealand’s Harvest Strategy Standard. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/19706-OPERATIONAL-GUIDELINES-FOR-NEW-ZEALANDS-HARVEST-STRATEGY-STANDARD

Fisheries New Zealand. (2008). Harvest Strategy Standard for New Zealand Fisheries. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/728-Harvest-Strategy-Standard-for-New-Zealand-Fisheries

New Zealand Legislation. (1996). Fisheries Act 1996. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0088/latest/DLM394192.html#DLM395507

Reeve, V. (2014). Letter from Vicky Reeve to MRAG Americas recognising the agreed harvest control rule. Retrieved from https://www.seafood.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MPI_2014_Support-for-Harvest-Control-Rule.pdf

Ryan, T. and Tilney, R. (2023). Acoustic Biomass Surveys of Orange Roughy Spawning Aggregations in ORH 3B NWCR and ORH 3B ESCR Chatham Rise, June/July 2022. Draft New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report. 79 p. Retrieved from https://www.seafood.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NZ2022_FAR_format_ORH3B_Chatham_Rise_final-071223.pdf

Ryan, T., Tilney, R., Cordue, P. and Downie, R. (2021). South-west Challenger Plateau trawl and acoustic biomass survey June-July 2018. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2021/53. 55 p. Retrieved from https://fs.fish.govt.nz/Doc/24956/FAR-2021-53-SW-Challenger-Orange-Roughy-Trawl-Acoustic-Biomass-Survey-2018-4010.pdf.ashx

Ryan, T.E., Tilney, R. and Downie, R. (2023). Acoustic biomass surveys of orange roughy in ORH 3B North Chatham Rise, June/July 2021. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2023/45. 49 p. Retrieved from https://fs.fish.govt.nz/Doc/25562/FAR-2023-45-Acoustic-Orange-Roughy-Surveys-ORH3B-June-July-2021-4301.pdf.ashx

Key P2 References - Environmental Impact​

Anderson, O F & Finucci, B. (2022). Non-target fish and invertebrate catch and discards in New Zealand orange roughy and oreo trawl fisheries from 2002–03 to 2019–20. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 282. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/50299-AEBR-282-Non-target-fish-and-invertebrate-catch-and-discards-in-New-Zealand-orange-roughy-and-oreo-trawl-fisheries-from-200203-to-201920

Anderson, O, Tracey, D, Bostock, H, Williams, M, & Clark, M. (2014). Refined habitat suitability modelling for protected coral species in the New Zealand EEZ. NIWA Client Report prepared for Department of Conservation, WLG2014-69. 46 p. https://dxcprod.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and coastal/marine-conservation-services/meetings/protected-coral-distribution modelling.pdf

Anderson, O, Mikaloff Fletcher, S, & Bostock, H. (2015). Development of models for predicting future distributions of protected coral species in the New Zealand Region. NIWA Client Report prepared for Department of Conservation. WLG2015-65. 28 p. https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/reports/pre-2019-annual-plans/models-predicting-future-distributions-corals-nz-niwa-dec-2015.pdf

Anderson, O, Tracey, D, & Rowden, A. (2019). Habitat suitability modelling for Protected Corals in New Zealand Waters. Final methodology report, prepared for Conservation Services Programme, Department of Conservation. 20 p. https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and coastal/marine-conservation-services/reports/pop2018-01-finalmethods.pdf

Baird, S. and Mules, R. (2023). Extent and intensity of bottom contact by commercial trawling and shellfish dredging in New Zealand waters, 1990–2021. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 316. 174 p. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/57907-AEBR-316-Extent-and-intensity-of-bottom-contact-by-commercial-trawling-and-shellfish-dredging-in-New-Zealand-waters-19902021

Black, J & Easterbrook-Clark, L. (2022). New Zealand Orange Roughy Trawl Footprint and Coral Interaction Analysis 2005/06 to 2019/20. Lower Hutt (NZ): GNS Science Consultancy Report 2021/120. https://www.seafood.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Black-Easterbrook-Clarke-2021.-New-Zealand-Orange-Roughy-Trawl-Footprint-and-Coral-Interaction-Analysis-200506-to-201920-_Redacted.pdf

Bowden, D, Anderson, O F, Escobar-Flores, P, Rowden, A A, and Clark, M R. (2019). Quantifying benthic biodiversity: using seafloor image data to build single-taxon and community distribution models for Chatham Rise, New Zealand. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 221. 64 p. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/37823-AEBR-235-Quantifying-benthic biodiversity-using-seafloor-image-data-to-build-single-taxon-and-community distribution-models-for-Chatham-Rise-New-Zealand

Cairns, S. (1995). The marine fauna of New Zealand: Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa). Memoir N.Z. Oceanographic Institute103: 1–210. Retrieved from https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8157

Cleal, J. (2021). Deepwater Group Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) Report for the 2019-20 Fishing Year. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cleal-2020-ELO-Report-2019-20.pdf

Cleal, J. (2022). Deepwater Group Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) Report for the 2020-21 Fishing Year. Retrieved from  https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FVMS-ELO-Report-2021-22.pdf

Cleal, J. (2023). Deepwater Group Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) Report for the 2021-22 Fishing Year. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FVMS-ELO-Report-2021-22.pdf

Cleal, J. (2024). Deepwater Group Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) Report for the 2022-23 Fishing Year. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/FVMS-ELO-2022-23-Report-V2-Feb-2024.pdf

Cleal, J. (2025). Deepwater Group Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) Report for 2023-24 Fishing Year. Nelson, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FVMS-ELO-Report-2023-24.pdf

Department of Conservation & Fisheries New Zealand. (2020). National Plan of Action – Seabirds 2020. Wellington New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/40652-National-Plan-Of-Action-Seabirds-2020-Report

Deepwater Group. (2020). Orange Roughy Trawl – Progress against Conditions 2 & 3. Report prepared for the Third MSC Surveillance Audit, February 2020. 23p. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Progress-Against-Coral-Conditions-ORH-MSC-Audit-3-Final-270220.pdf

Deepwater Group. (2020a). Orange Roughy Trawl – Situation Report. Report prepared for the Third MSC Surveillance Audit, February 2020. 41p. Retrieved from deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ORH-Trawl-Situation-Report-Audit-3-Final-270220.pdf

Deepwater Group. (2021). New Zealand Orange Roughy Trawl Situation Report 2021. Prepared for the 2021 MSC Fisheries Certification Re-assessment. 106 p. https://deepwatergroup.org/species/orange-roughy/orange-roughy-msc-reassessment/.

Deepwater Group. (2021a) Submission to the Environment Select Committee on Seamounts and Bottom Trawling. Deepwater Group Report. 30 August 2021. 75p. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DWG-Submission-on-Seamounts-and-Bottom-Trawling-to-Environment-Select-Committee-300821-WEB.pdf

Deepwater Group. (2021b). Mitigation of our bottom trawling impacts on corals and benthic habitats. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/6.2-Mitigation-of-our-Bottom-Trawling-Impacts.pdf

Devine, J. A., Ballara, S. L., and Wieczorek, A. M. (2025). Trawl survey for middle depth fish species off the west coast South Island, July–August 2024 (TAN2407). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2025/41. 93 p. Retrieved from FAR 2025/41 Trawl survey for middle depth fish species off the west coast South Island, July–August 2024 (TAN2407)

Finucci, B, Edwards, C T, Anderson, O F, & Ballara, S L. (2019). Fish and invertebrate bycatch in New Zealand deepwater fisheries from 1990-91 to 2016-17. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity report No. 210. 77 p. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/34323-AEBR-210-Fish-and-invertebrate bycatch-in-New-Zealand-deepwater-fisheries-from-199091-until-201617

Fisheries New Zealand. (2024). Annual Operational Plan for Deepwater Fisheries 2023/24. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/60925-Annual-operational-plan-for-deepwater-fisheries-202324

Fisheries New Zealand. (2024a). Deepwater Annual Review Report 2022/23. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/68307-Annual-review-report-for-deepwater-fisheries-202223

Fisheries New Zealand. (2025). Fisheries Assessment Plenary May 2025 Volume 2: Oreos (OEO 4). Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/69846-Fisheries-Assessment-Plenary-May-2025-Volume-2-OREOS-OEO-4-BLACK-OREO-AND-SMOOTH-OREO

Fisheries New Zealand. (2025a). Fisheries Assessment Plenary May 2025 Volume 1: Hoki (HOK). Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/69729-Fisheries-Assessment-Plenary-May-2025-Volume-1-HOKI-HOK

Fisheries New Zealand. (2025b). Fisheries Assessment Plenary May 2025 Volume 1: Hake (HAK). Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/69726-Fisheries-Assessment-Plenary-May-2025-Volume-1-HAKE-HAK

Large, K. (2014)Population changes in rattail species on the Chatham Rise. (Master’s thesis, Victoria University of Wellington). Typeset. Retrieved from https://typeset.io/pdf/population-changes-in-rattail-species-on-the-chatham-rise-1ibei21z3l.pdf

MacGibbon, D.J.; Mules, R. (2023). Extent and intensity of bottom contact by commercial trawling and shellfish dredging in New Zealand waters, 1990–2021. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 316. 174 p. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/57907/direct

McConnaughey R. A., Hiddink J. G., Jennings S., et al. (2019). Choosing best practices for managing impacts of trawl fishing on seabed habitats and biota. Fish and Fisheries. 2020; 21: 319–337. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12431

McMillan, P. J., Francis, M. P., James, G. D., Paul, L. J., Marriott, P., Mackay, E. J., Wood, B. A., Stevens, D. W., Griggs, L. H., Baird, S. J., Roberts, C. D., Stewart, A. L., Struthers, C. D., and Robbins, J. E. (2024). New Zealand fishes. A field guide to common species caught by bottom, midwater, and surface fishing for New Zealand fishers. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 333. 287 p. Retrieved from AEBR 333 New Zealand fishes. A field guide to common species caught by bottom, midwater, and surface fishing for New Zealand fishers

Meyer, S. (2023). Desktop update of estimation of seabird cryptic mortality in trawls, via warp and net captures in the New Zealand domestic fleet using standard mitigation. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 322. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/59485-AEBR-322-Desktop-update-of-estimation-of-seabird-cryptic-mortality-in-trawls-via-warp-and-net-captures-in-the-New-Zealand-domestic-fleet-using-standard-mitigation

Meyer, S. (2023a). Report- Final results: INT2021-02 Characterisation of protected coral interactions. Report for Conservation Services Programme, Department of Conservation, Proteus Client Report: 173. Proteus, Outram, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/reports/202122-annual-plan/int2021-02-characterisation-of-protected-coral-interactions-final-report.pdf

Seafood New Zealand – Deepwater Council. (2024). Deepwater Trawl Benthic Operational Procedures 2023-24. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Benthic-OP-2024-Published-150824.pdf

Seafood New Zealand – Deepwater Council. (2024a). Orange Roughy Situation Report: 2nd MSC Surveillance Audit. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/TP_Situation-Report-for-New-Zealand-Orange-Roughy-Trawl-Fisheries-2023-24-3.pdf

Stephenson, F, Bowden, D A, Finucci, B, Anderson, O F, & Rowden, A A. (2021). Developing updated predicted models for benthic taxa and communities across Chatham Rise and Campbell Plateau using photographic survey data. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 276. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/48847-AEBR-276-Developing-updated-predictive-models-for-benthic-taxa-and-communities-across-Chatham-Rise-and-Campbell-Plateau-using-photographic-survey-data

Stephenson, F, Geange, S, Rowden, A, Charsley, A, Anderson, O, & Biggerstaff, A. (2022). Further analysis of VME indicator taxa, catchability, and the design of a related research programme (SC10-DW04). South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation. Retrieved from https://www.sprfmo.int/assets/Meetings/SC/10th-SC-2022/SC10-DW04-Further-analysis-of-VME-indicator-taxa-catchability-and-the-design-of-a-related-research-programme-NZ.pdf

Stevens, D. W., Ballara, S. L., Maurice, A., Escobar-Flores, P. C. and Yeoman, J. (2024 Trawl survey of hoki and middle depth species on the Chatham Rise, January 2024 (TAN2401). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2024/77. 118 p. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/65925/direct

Tracey, D. M. and Hjorvarsdottir, F. (2019). The State of Knowledge of Deep-Sea Corals in the New Zealand Region. NIWA Science and Technology Series Number 84. 140 p. Retrieved from Deepsea-corals-NZ-2019-NIWA-SciTechSeries-84.pdf

Key P3 References - Effective Fisheries Management​

Cleal, J. (2025). Deepwater Group Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) Report for 2023-24 Fishing Year. Nelson, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://deepwatergroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FVMS-ELO-Report-2023-24.pdf

Fisheries New Zealand. (2010). Orange Roughy Fisheries Plan. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/3975-National-Fisheries-Plan-for-Deepwater-and-Middle-depth-Fisheries-Part-1B-Orange-roughy-fishery-chapter

Fisheries New Zealand. (2019). National Fisheries Plan for Deepwater and Middle-depth Fisheries 2019. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/3967-National-Fisheries-Plan-for-Deepwater-and-Middle-depth-Fisheries-2019

Fisheries New Zealand. (2019a). Compliance Delivery Model. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/39353-Fisheries-Management-Fact-Sheet-6-Compliance-Delivery-model

Fisheries New Zealand. (2024). Annual Operational Plan for Deepwater Fisheries 2023/24. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/60925-Annual-operational-plan-for-deepwater-fisheries-202324

Fisheries New Zealand. (2024a). Deepwater Annual Review Report 2022/23. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/68307-Annual-review-report-for-deepwater-fisheries-202223

Fisheries New Zealand. (2024b). Medium Term Research Plan for Deepwater Fisheries 2024/25 to 2029/30. Fisheries New Zealand Information Paper No: 2024/03. 42 p. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/21746-medium-term-research-plan-for-deepwater-fisheries

Minister for Oceans and Fisheries. (2025). Decision letter: Review of sustainability measures for fisheries – October 2025 round. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry for Primary Industries. Retrieved from Minister for Oceans and Fisheries decision letter – Review of sustainability measures for fisheries – October 2025 round

New Zealand Legislation. (1992). Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0121/latest/DLM281433.html

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