New Zealand Approves Revised National Plan to Protect Sharks

The New Zealand Government has approved a revised National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, announced by Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka. The plan aims to strengthen protection and sustainable management of the country’s shark populations, which include at least 113 species in New Zealand waters. Seven species are currently protected because of their conservation status, while eleven are sustainably managed under the Quota Management System due to their importance to customary, recreational and commercial fisheries. The updated plan places a central focus on preventing the capture of protected and non‑target species and, where sharks are unintentionally caught, on using best‑practice handling and release methods to maximise survival. It also addresses a range of threats beyond fishing, including disease, pollution, marine debris, biosecurity risks, climate change and habitat degradation. Importantly, the plan integrates tangata whenua perspectives and values, recognising sharks as taonga and their relationships with other marine species. The Government highlighted progress under previous plans, such as the 2014 ban on shark finning and improved guidance for fishers on safe handling and release of protected sharks. The plan, developed jointly by the Department of Conservation, Fisheries New Zealand and other agencies with input from the Shark Advisory Group, tangata whenua, environmental organisations, commercial and recreational fishers, and public consultation, contains seven goals and 23 measurable objectives and is available online.