The New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen (NZFCF) have established an important website for commercial fishers and others with an interest in commercial fishing activity. This includes an evolving gear innovation library to provide information on fishing gear developments, relevant technology, and related developments happening in New Zealand and around the world.  

Founded in 1953, the Federation or simply “The Fed” is the national body representing independent owner-operator commercial fishers across New Zealand. These are typically those operating small vessels of 10–30 metres. 

The website provides useful links to innovation efforts in bottom trawling as well as surface longline and innovations such as the use of LED lights to attract scallops into a trap, and potting as an alternative to trawling. Links to other national and international sources of relevant information are provided, including contact details for individuals that have an innovative idea to share and funding opportunities for innovation. 

A informative animation describes how bottom trawling looks and works on the seabed, as well as videos to the FloMo codend, and the new flume tank at the Nelson research center, designed for testing model fishing gear. A video describing the bottom trawl footprint in inshore waters demonstrates just how little of the seabed is contacted by bottom trawlers