Blue Water Marine Research provides high quality marine research solutions to a range of clients, including government, research institutes, charitable trusts, national and regional fisheries organizations.  The projects described on this site detail some of our current work collecting information from amateur fishers and studying the biology and movements of fish using a range tagging technologies, including the latest satellite tags.  Other work has included economic studies, surveys of shellfish stocks, spat collection for scallop enhancement and ecological surveys.

Blue Water Marine Research is a member of a number of the science working groups that review the research projects that are funded by the Ministry of Fisheries.

Fisheries management advice

A number of national and regional organizations are striving to realize the potential for New Zealand’s world class fisheries.  With over 50 years combined experience we provide management and technical advice across a range of fisheries and issues. 

For many years the there has been a commercial focus on fisheries, the exploitation of new shocks, the increase in export returns and the need for sustainable management.  In recent years there has been the need to take into account the environmental, social and cultural expectations of the people.  Maori will play a pivotal role in fisheries management in New Zealand as they have strong commercial, customary and amateur fishing rights. 

However, decision making is still centralized and constrained by the rights and obligations that come with the Quota Management System.  The Minister of Fisheries makes all the main fisheries management decisions based on advice for the Ministry of Fisheries.  Blue Water Marine Research has considerable experience writing submissions to the Minister on fisheries management issues.