Download FAR 2024/42 Characterisation and CPUE analyses for blue mackerel in EMA 7 to 2022

Blue mackerel (coded as EMA) are a widely distributed, small pelagic fish. In New Zealand they are mainly caught in commercial fisheries on the east and west coasts of the North Island.

In the Taranaki Bight, on the west coast of the North Island, and the northern west coast of the South Island (management area EMA 7), blue mackerel are taken by the midwater trawl fishery that primarily targets jack mackerels. The catch of blue mackerel is a mix of target catch and bycatch. Some catch is also taken by purse seining.

As part of its management within the Quota Management System, blue mackerel abundance in EMA 7 is monitored using catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) from the midwater trawl fishery. In this report, this information is given for 2003 to 2022. In 2022 the EMA 7 stock abundance was assessed to be slightly above the target level.