Download FAR 2026/10 Inshore trawl survey off the west coast South Island and in Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, March–April 2025 (KAH2502)

This report presents the results from the 17th inshore trawl survey in a time series, which was started in 1992 and covers the west coast of the South Island, from Farewell Spit to the Haast River mouth, and within Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. The survey covers depths from 20 to 400 m (core strata), using RV Kaharoa, and is mainly aimed at surveying giant stargazer, red cod, red gurnard, spiny dogfish, tarakihi and snapper, though useful estimates are achieved for other species too, e.g. John dory and rig. Since 2017, two additional strata have been surveyed in 10–20 m in Tasman Bay and Golden Bay to cover the full distribution of snapper in that area.

Data collected include length, weight, and maturity data for selected species, and collection of otoliths of the target species for ageing. The trawl survey provides time series of relative biomass estimates and age, length, and maturity stage information that is used for stock assessments and fisheries management advice for key inshore species.

In 2025, a total of 57 trawls were successfully completed in the core strata and another six were carried out in strata 20 and 21.

Biomass estimates for the target species in the core strata were: giant stargazer, 724 t; John dory, 211 t; red gurnard, 1875 t; red cod, 879 t; snapper, 3557 t; spiny dogfish, 2662 t; and tarakihi, 660 t. The snapper biomass (core strata plus the 10–20 m strata) was the highest ever in the time series at 4453 t.

This was the final survey to be carried out on RV Kaharoa, with future surveys to be carried out on its replacement vessel, RV Kaharoa II. This voyage also served as an intercalibration between the two vessels, with both fishing side by side to provide continuity in the time series. The intercalibration results are presented in a separate report.

Data for all species that have been caught in the time series are also presented online in the Trawl Survey Information Portal, https://tsip.niwa.co.nz/home