Download FAR 2025/41 Trawl survey for middle depth fish species off the west coast South Island, July–August 2024 (TAN2407)

Devine, J.A.; Ballara, S.L.; Wieczorek, A.M. (2025). Trawl survey for middle depth fish species off the west coast South Island, July–August 2024 (TAN2407). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2025/41. 93 p

A combined trawl-acoustic survey was carried out off the west coast South Island (WCSI) from 21 July to 13 August 2024. It was the 7th trawl survey, targeting primarily hake and ling, and the 12th acoustic survey for hoki.

Estimated ling biomass in 2024 was the lowest of the trawl time series (which started in 2000), while hake biomass has increased since 2016. A total of 242 species or species groups were caught.

The acoustic estimate of hoki biomass was the second lowest of the time series (which started in 1988) but showed an increase since the previous acoustic survey in 2018.

Bottom temperatures have been warming since 2012, mainly in the northern strata. Hake, ling, and hoki appear to have shifted deeper and into cooler water.