Download FAR 2025/29 A pilot multi vessel inshore trawl survey of northern FMA 2 (February-March 2025)

Langley, A.D. (2025). A pilot multi vessel inshore trawl survey of northern FMA 2 (February-March 2025). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2025/29. 50 p.

A pilot trawl survey of the inshore area of northern FMA 2 was conducted using three commercial vessels. The pilot survey demonstrated the ability for commercial vessels to undertake a structured research survey with limited direct supervision and facilitate the collection of accurate catch weights and sampling data from individual trawls following vessel unloading. For snapper and red gurnard, the pilot survey provided trawl survey biomass indices with a high degree of precision. The survey results were less reliable for tarakihi. The design of the next survey, scheduled for March 2026, will be modified to improve the utility of the survey for tarakihi. The pilot survey also yielded acceptable biomass indices for trevally, John dory, rig, and school shark.