Review of sustainability measures for 1 October 2021

Hoki

HOK 1
All New Zealand (excludes Kermadec)

– / ↓

The western stock biomass of HOK 1 is predicted to fall below the management target range next year and remain below that range for the remainder of the 5-year projection. To mitigate potential sustainability risks, Fisheries New Zealand is reviewing HOK 1 and proposing options for decreasing the TAC and sub-area catch limit for the western hoki stock.

Ling

LIN 5
Southland, Sub-Antarctic

↑

The 2021 stock assessment of LIN 5 indicates the stock biomass is well above the management target and could support increased catch levels. Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options for increasing the catch limits of LIN 5 to support greater utilisation of the stock. 

Gemfish

SKI 3 & 7
Entire South Island, Chatham Rise, and West Coast off Taranaki and Wellington

↑

An updated Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) analysis indicates that biomass of SKI 3 and SKI 7 has increased in recent years. The TACs and TACCs of both stocks were increased significantly in 2019, but CPUE estimates have continued to increase. Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options to increase SKI 3 and SKI 7 catch limits to enable greater utilisation of the stocks.

Black
cardinalfish

CDL 1
east coast of Northland and Auckland

↓

Catches of CDL 1 have declined over the past few decades, and in more recent years, have been fluctuating well below the TACC. While recent catch levels are unlikely to pose a sustainability risk, there may be risks for the stock if catch levels were to increase to the current limits set. Because of this, Fisheries New Zealand is proposing to decrease the catch limits of CDL 1 to ensure catches remain sustainable in future.

Southern bluefin tuna

STN 1
All New Zealand and Extra Territorial waters

↑

Following an internationally agreed outcome at the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT), STN 1 will be reviewed domestically for a proposed 14 tonne increase to the TAC. Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options for allocating this increase among sectors.

Snapper

SNA 8
West Coast of Northland, Auckland, Taranaki and Wellington

↑

SNA 8 is a highly valued shared fishery, and our second biggest snapper stock. Since sustainability concerns were identified in 2005, the fishery has been rebuilding, with monitoring to track the recovery. The most recent stock assessment for SNA 8 shows the stock has recovered well and is highly likely to be above the management target. It is also projected the biomass will continue to increase steeply under current settings. Based on this, there is an opportunity to provide for utilisation across all sectors and to review the ongoing monitoring and management of the fishery. Fisheries New Zealand is proposing 4 options for increasing the catch limits and allowances of SNA 8 and invites feedback on other management measures to support maintaining the fishery at sustainability levels into the future.

Hāpuku/
Bass

HPB 1 & 2
Northland, Bay of Plenty and east coast North Island

↓

Concern for the sustainability of Northern hāpuku stocks, particularly HPB 1 and 2, has been expressed by tangata whenua and commercial and recreational fishers. Commercial catches for these stocks have trended downwards over the last 20 years, and particularly in the last 5 years, with recent catch being well below the TACCs. This indicates a potential sustainability concern. To mitigate this risk, Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options to set TACs and allowances for these stocks, to reduce recreational bag limits, and to decrease current TACCs.

Red gurnard

GUR 1
East and West Coasts of Auckland and Northland, Bay of Plenty

↓

GUR 1 is an important shared inshore fishery, which overlaps with other highly valued stocks such as SNA 8. It has not been reviewed since introduction into the QMS in 1986, and while there is a TACC in place, no TAC or allowances have been set. The commercial catch limit has been consistently under caught and landings appear to be declining. The most recent scientific assessment in 2017 did not specifically indicate any sustainability concerns with current catch levels but did note that the sustainability risk of catching the full TACC is unknown. There is also information to suggest there may be concerns with certain biological sub-stocks of gurnard within the larger fisheries management area. Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options to set a TAC and allowances for GUR 1, and decrease the TACC to ensure catches remain sustainable.

GUR 7
West Coast and Top of South Island

↑

The stock status of GUR 7 is informed by biomass indices from regular trawl surveys, which indicate that the stock is currently in good health and at or above target level. The surveys suggest that GUR 7 is experiencing a recruitment pulse (consecutive years of good recruitment). Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options to increase GUR 7 catch limits to support greater utilisation of the stock.

Pāua

PAU 3A & PAU 3B
Kaikoura, Canterbury

−

PAU 3 is being subdivided from 1 October 2021 into north and south QMAs (PAU 3A – Kaikōura, and PAU 3B – Canterbury) to enable more targeted management of pāua (particularly in the Kaikōura earthquake affected area, which is currently closed to fishing). Fisheries New Zealand is proposing catch setting options for these 2 new QMAs.

Blue cod

BCO 3
Kaikoura, Canterbury, Otago

↓

This stock is being reviewed as a priority under the National Blue Cod Strategy. Potting survey results within BCO 3 have been trending down in recent years and action was taken last year to address localised depletion issues in key areas of BCO 3 through introduction of a traffic light system and regulations. As a further step, Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options for setting a TAC and allowances for BCO 3, including an option that would see a decrease to the TACC.

School shark

SCH 5
Southland and Sub-Antarctic

↓

Catch per unit effort has declined in SCH 5 since 2005, indicating a potential sustainability risk. In 2021, the stock was assessed as unlikely to be at or above the target biomass, with overfishing very likely to be occurring. In line with this information Fisheries New Zealand is proposing an option that would decrease catch limits and allowances for SCH 5.

Alfonsino

BYX 2
East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington

↑

Landed price for this stock has increased by around 25% in the last year and catch regularly exceeds available ACE. An adjustment is being proposed to ensure appropriate incentives for fishers to remain within ACE holdings.

Blue cod

BCO 7
West coast and top of South Island

↑

Current deemed value rates for BCO 7 are much lower than its neighbouring BCO 3 stock, and well under the landed price. An adjustment to BCO 7 deemed values is being proposed to account for these factors.

Bluenose

BNS 2
East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington

↑

Landed price for this stock has increased by over 15% in the last year. The fishery is rebuilding, and there is ongoing need to ensure appropriate incentives for fishers to remain within ACE holdings.

Gemfish

SKI 1
Northern east and west Coasts, North Island

↓

The SKI 1 basic annual deemed value rate increased by $0.25/kg since 1 October 2020 based on an increase in landed price for 2020/21. However, landed price for 2021/22 has subsequently decreased back to the 2019/20 value, so a corresponding adjustment to the deemed value rate is proposed.

SKI 2
East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington

↓

A decision to increase SKI 2 TACC from 1 October 2020 was not given effect due to court injunction regarding ‘28N’ rights. A reduction in deemed value rates is proposed to reflect the state of the stock and reduce the financial costs incurred by fishers as a result of ongoing court proceedings.

Kingfish

KIN 8
West coast of Northland, Auckland, Taranaki and Wellington

↓

KIN 8 deemed values rates are double the rates of the adjoining KIN 7 stock and the landed price for this stock has almost halved in the last year. An adjustment is being proposed to account for these factors.