The total species population size estimate of New Zealand sea lion/pakake/whakahao was updated using the available demographic and population size information up to 2022 (the 2021–22 breeding season). All analyses were conducted within a Bayesian estimation framework, and the posterior total population size estimate was approximately 10 000 individuals in 2022 (median: 10 151; 95% credible interval: 8702–12 082 individuals), slightly below the estimate for 2015 using the same method.

A novel spatial risk assessment framework is proposed, based on the Spatially Explicit Fisheries Risk Assessment (SEFRA) and the Sustainability Assessment for Fishing Effects (SAFE). Risk is the probability that exploitation exceeds the Impact Sustainability Threshold (IST). Exploitation is estimated from the catchability and effort, using prior information on either the catchability or the population size. It is applied to shark and turtle species with different data characteristics.

This report documents the 2022 stock assessment of red rock lobsters in CRA 2. The model was fitted to length frequency data, sex ratio data, tag-recapture growth increment data, and standardised catch-per-unit-effort indices using the lobster stock dynamics model. This stock assessment estimated generally increasing exploitation rates throughout the stock’s history. Catch cuts and a period of improved recruitment have helped the stock rebuild since the 2017 stock assessment.

This report documents the data used by the 2022 stock assessment of red rock lobsters in CRA 2. The data sets described include: catch estimates from commercial, recreational, customary, and illegal components of the fishery; standardised catch-per-unit-effort indices; standardised catch length-frequency distributions and sex ratios; tag-based growth information; and the proportion of mature females that were in berry (egg-bearing).

A spatial analysis of catch and effort data from the SNA 1 bottom trawl fishery was used to refine the boundary of the East Northland and Hauraki Gulf snapper stocks. For the two stock units, bottom trawl CPUE indices were derived for the spring-summer period. The two sets of CPUE indices were included in the 2023 stock assessment of SNA 1.

A fully integrated stock assessment is presented for HOK 1 modelled with two stocks (western and eastern) and with fish residing in four regions. The western stock is estimated to be lower than the eastern stock, with biomass expected to be 25–43% B0 in 2027 under current catch levels for the western stock and 46–55% B0 for the eastern stock. A simpler model with one stock and one region estimated current biomass to be 37–45% B0 in 2022. Target range for hoki is 35–50% B0.

Characterisation and CPUE (catch-per-unit-effort) analysis for SCI 1 (Bay of Plenty) and SCI 2 (Hawke Bay-Wairarapa) scampi (Metanephrops challengeri). Scampi live in burrows and variability in emergence rates impact the relationship between CPUE and abundance. SCI 1 index increased from 2016 to 2021. SCI 2 CPUE generally declined from 2015 to 2021. The CPUE indices were accepted by the New Zealand Fisheries Deepwater Working Group as valid for tracking scampi biomass for use in the stock assessment.

For southern blue whiting on the Bounty Plateau (SBW 6B), a new Harvest Control Rule, HCR2022, was developed that allowed for consecutive years with no acoustic surveys. HCR2022 replaced the previous HCR which required an acoustic survey every year.

While effects of organic enrichment on inshore, soft-sediment communities are well studied, little is known about how finfish farm-derived impacts will manifest in open ocean environments. This report identifies key species that may be affected by open ocean aquaculture and describes physiological indicators that may provide insight into organism health. This is the first of several project objectives that work toward developing environmental health measures for use in offshore environments.

The impact of video monitoring on estimating black petrel bycatch in bottom longline fisheries was assessed. Combining observer and video monitoring data resulted in lower estimated captures compared with using observer data alone. Simulations of different proportions of assessed video footage suggest currently overpredicted estimates of black petrel captures. Also, the analysis suggests that the presence of observers and/or cameras increased fishers’ compliance to report black petrel captures.

This report describes the results of the random-site potting survey for blue cod (Parapercis colias) off south Otago in March–April 2022. Estimates are provided for population abundance, size and age structure, sex ratio, total mortality (Z), and fishing mortality (F). The 2022 potting survey was the fourth in the south Otago time series, with previous surveys in 2010, 2013, and 2018. The 2010 survey was a dual random-site and fixed-site experimental survey in three of the six strata; and 2013 and 2018 were solely random-site surveys in all six strata.

A bottom trawl survey of the east coast South Island (ECSI) at 10–400 m depths was carried out using R.V. Kaharoa (trip code KAH2204) from 2 May to 23 June 2022. The core (30–400 m) survey was the fourteenth in the winter ECSI inshore time series (1991–1994, 1996, 2007–2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022). Four shallow strata (10–30 m) included in 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021 were again surveyed in 2022 to monitor elephantfish and red gurnard over their full depth range.

A commercial catch sampling design was developed for estimating the age-structure of hāpuku (Polyprion oxygeneios) from the New Zealand bottom longline fishery. Based on the minimum required number of otoliths, current catches, and market conditions, there may be potential for a catch sampling project in HPB 1, HPB 2, HPB 4, and HPB 5, but this would generally incur a high cost and require highly targeted sampling as well as a high degree of cooperation with fishers and licensed fish receivers.

An onsite creel survey was undertaken in the North Canterbury-Kaikōura region from October 2021 to September 2022 to collect data on the boat-based amateur marine fishery. This survey estimated that 23 184 blue cod (13.1 t), 54 342 sea perch (21.9 t), and 46 771 rock lobster (26.5 t) were harvested in the 12-month period. An additional 13 107 blue cod (7.3 t), 41 475 sea perch (16.1 t), and 3647 rock lobster (2.0 t) were reported in the Amateur Fishing Charter Vessel data over the same period.

This project provides population estimates for cockle Austrovenus stutchburyi and pipi Paphies australis at 12 sites in northern North Island for the 2022–23 fishing year. Also provided are sediment data for Aotea Harbour,Cockle Bay, Eastern Beach, Grahams Beach, Hokianga Harbour, Kawakawa Bay (West), Ōhiwa Harbour, Okoromai Bay, Otūmoetai (Tauranga Harbour), Pataua Estuary, Waiotahe Estuary, Whangamatā Harbour, and Whangapoua Harbour.