Our Method
Pot Fishing
Transforming the Future.
Respecting the past.
Introduction
With constant evolution comes necessary change.
After years of longlining with hooks, the Kawatea now
employs a state of the art pot fishing method, allowing for
the highest standards of sustainable harvesting.
Fishing Method
The Kawatea begins by deploying a
flag pole and two buoys, marking the
beginning of the set.
An anchor is then deployed, sending the
mainline down to the seabed and setting
the trajectory for the pots to follow.
Step 1
The pots are then attached to the mainline
in a closed form. These are spaced every
50 metres, allowing the crew to safely
manage the process of setting.
Step 2
As the pot leaves the vessel it begins
to open, expanding completely by the
time it hits the water. The pot then
follows the mainline down to rest lightly
on the seabed.
Protecting Sea Birds
Our pot fishing method has revolutionised the way we
interact with seabirds, with the Kawatea using no bird
mitigation devices such as lasers and tori lines.
During the process of both setting and hauling, we have
harmed Zero seabirds.
Mammal Interaction
Unfortunately, Marine mammals are another group
of species impacted by traditional fishing methods.
Our pots feature an entirely enclosed bait device,
making it impossible for mammals to get close to
and be harmed.
No Bycatch
Traditional fishing methods have always struggled
with selective harvesting, impacting unwanted fish
species in the process of targeting the one they
want. Our pots are entirely selective, appealing
only to the fish we target while harming none of
the fish we don’t.
Minimal Disturbance to the Ocean Floor
Without our ocean floor habitats intact, fish
populations suffer greatly. Unlike traditional fishing
methods, our pots have minimal footprint on the
seabed. Weighing only 7kg on land, when
submerged our pots are almost weightless.
Less Stressed Fish
Unlike traditional fishing methods, all fish that we
bring onboard are live. Protected within the pot
and safe from outside elements, the result is a
less stressed fish and ultimately an end product of the highest quality.
Past
The Hinaki Waharua was a weaved pot used in rivers, lakes and estuaries by the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand.
A symbol of traditional knowledge and its effectiveness, the simplistic design allowed for the sustainable and controlled harvest of fish from fresh waterways.
Present
The pots we utilise can be seen as a modern version of the Hinaki Waharua;
Fully collapsible, lightweight and strong, these pots allow us to sustainably harvest just like our ancestors did.