Scientific research projects

Description of data collection system

The Ministry of Fisheries contracts about $17 million of research services each year to provide advice on specific resource needs. The resulting research projects produce large quantities of data on a wide variety of fisheries related research areas. There are 30 formal databases and a number of other datasets stored in various formats. The data are owned by the Ministry and are available to answer additional questions where relevant.

Purpose of data collection

The research is purchased to support decision making in relation to the sustainable utilisation of fisheries

Coverage of data set

The research projects purchased are as recommended by Research Planning Groups to fit within Strategic Research Plans. They cover individual topics and do not provide complete coverage of the commercial fishery. However, where applicable there can be more detailed information provided than in the other data sources. For example, in research trawl surveys all species caught will be scientifically identified and recorded, even those caught in small quantities and not generally recorded on commercial forms. The scope of the research projects can also be wider than commercial fisheries. Recreational catches have been estimated from a number of surveys of recreational fishing, and this recreational database is available if required.

Stewardship of the data

The MFish Research Data Manager is the Steward of this data. Most of the datasets are managed for the Ministry of Fisheries by NIWA acting under contract to the Ministry.

Access to the data

Many of the research project data sets can be made available to the "general public" – Contact the Research Data Manager to arrange access. Charges for data extraction will usually apply.