Download FAR 2025/24 Characterisation and CPUE indices for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from the New Zealand surface longline fishery 1993 to 2023

Finucci, B.; Moore, B.R. (2025). Characterisation and CPUE indices for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from the New Zealand surface longline fishery 1993 to 2023. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2025/24. 62 p.

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) are a highly migratory species, widespread in the Pacific Ocean, with the New Zealand region only a small part of its range. This report describes the catch and effort data for swordfish in the New Zealand surface longline fishery and updates the catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) indices using commercial catch effort and remote-sensed environmental variables.

Data were analysed in 4 series: all vessels in the fishery from 1993–2023 and from 2004–2023, and a selected core fleet from 1999–2023 and from 2004–2023. The later time series incorporated operational changes in the fishery, including the recording of light sticks and bait type, when swordfish was introduced into the Quota Management System (QMS) in 2004. All models showed similar CPUE trends over time. CPUE gradually increased to a peak in 2012 and 2013, followed by a steady decline to 2019, with a slight recent increase to 2023. Average swordfish size across 3 data sources was 60 kg, and annual average size showed some increasing trend between 2005 and 2017, followed by decline to 2023 to sizes similar to those observed in 2005.