Download FAR 2025/53 New Zealand billfish and gamefish tagging, 2022–23 to 2024–25

This report outlines the findings of the New Zealand Gamefish Tagging Programme (NZGTP) for the 2022–23 to 2024–25 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 three years, 6308 fish were tagged and released in New Zealand waters, with an additional 99 tagged internationally.

Information collected in this project can be 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 2024. Large numbers of yellowfin tuna were tagged in 2025. Yellowtail kingfish is another important species in the programme, while the number of blue marlin and southern bluefin tuna tagged has varied. The number of tagged sharks has declined, with the exception of bronze whaler sharks.

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, New Zealand country reports, and some stock assessments for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.