Download FAR 2025/12 New Zealand billfish and gamefish tagging, 2022–23 to 2023–24

This report outlines the findings of the New Zealand Gamefish Tagging Programme (NZGTP) for the 2022–23 and 2023–24 fishing years. The NZGTP is a cooperative project between Fisheries New Zealand, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC), its affiliated clubs, and other recreational and commercial fishers.

The programme collects data on the tagging and recapture of key gamefish species, including marlin, swordfish, kingfish, and some shark and tuna species, within New Zealand's waters and surrounding areas. Over the last two years, 2049 fish were tagged in New Zealand waters, with an additional 35 tagged internationally.

Information collected in this project are used to describe:
• When each species of fish is available in New Zealand;
• Seasonal migrations;
• Stock boundaries or management regions
• Growth rates;
• Changes in distribution over time.

Striped marlin, one of the main species, was tagged and released in significant numbers, especially in early 2024. Yellowtail kingfish is another important species in the programme and the number tagged and released from commercial vessels has increased. The catch rates for other species, like blue marlin and yellowfin tuna, have varied. The number of tagged sharks has declined, particularly for mako and blue sharks, while bronze whaler shark tagging has increased.

Anglers are encouraged to record capture details, including latitude and longitude on tag report cards or the fishtagnz website. This data is summarised and included in New Zealand fisheries reports and New Zealand country reports to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.