Seafood New Zealand says a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlighting the impacts of warming oceans across the South-West Pacific reinforces the importance of continuing to invest in science to better understand how climate change will affect New Zealand's marine environment and fisheries.
The report found the South-West Pacific region had its second warmest year on record and ocean acidification continued in 2025, with almost the entire region showing record low surface ocean pH values.
Chief Executive Lisa Futschek said the report paints a sobering picture.
"New Zealand is part of this region, and this report is another reminder that climate change is increasingly affecting the oceans and environment around us.
"Healthy fisheries rely on healthy oceans. Understanding how changing ocean conditions influence fish biology, distribution and populations as well as wider marine ecosystems will be critical to ensuring our fisheries remain sustainable for generations to come," said Ms Futschek.
Ms Futschek said New Zealand already has one of the world's leading evidence-based management systems, but changing environmental conditions reinforce the need to continue building knowledge about how climate change affects our oceans and how to manage our fish stocks in the face of it.
"Fish stocks fluctuate based on a range of factors including recruitment (ability of fish to survive the early stages of life), natural population fluctuations that are influenced by environmental conditions. As climate change becomes a more significant driver of changes in our ocean conditions, it's important that we continue investing in the science needed to understand how these factors interact.
"The more we understand about how our oceans are changing, the better equipped we will be to make informed decisions to ensure the health of our marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable fisheries and the coastal communities that rely on them."
Ms Futschek said New Zealand's commercial fishing industry has a direct interest in ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the marine environment.
"Our future depends on resilient oceans. We welcome research that strengthens our understanding of the challenges ahead and helps ensure fisheries management continues to evolve alongside the best available science," said Ms Futschek.
