By-catch: Is a fish or other marine species that is caught unintentionally while catching certain target species and target sizes of fish, crabs etc

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Biodiversity: biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals

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Climate Change: a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature

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Ecosystem: the complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit

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Fossil fuel: any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.

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Generic variability: The potential of a genotype to change or deviate when exposed to environmental or genetic factors.

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Genetic isolation: he lack of interbreeding or little genetic mixing between organisms of the same species.

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Gillnet: Is a common fishing method used by commercial and artisanal fishermen of all the oceans and in some freshwater and estuary areas.

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ICUN Red List: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which was founded in 1964, is the world's most complete list of the global conservation status of different species

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Keystone species: a species of plant or animal that produces a major impact (as by predation) on its ecosystem and is considered essential to maintaining optimum ecosystem function or structure

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Marine Mammals Protection Act: The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was the first act of the United States Congress to call specifically for an ecosystem approach to wildlife management.

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The Minister for Primary Industries: manages both saltwater and freshwater fisheries under the Fisheries Act 1996. The Minister determines a wide range of matters, including what quantity of fish can be caught and where, when and how fishing is to be undertaken

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Ministry of Fisheries and Department of Conservation: This organization protects marine resources through science and research, and by monitoring the commercial fishery to ensure all activity is compliant.        

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Mitochondrial DNA: The genetic material in the mitochondrion that carries code for the manufacturing of RNAs and proteins essential to the various functions of the mitochondrion

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The Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary: It is home to some of New Zealand’s threatened marine species, including the endangered Hector’s dolphin. The Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary encompasses approximately 413,000 hectares and covers 389.31 km of coastline.

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Trawling: Is a method of fishing that involves pulling a fishing net through the water behind one or more boats.