Download FAR 2026/11 Inshore trawl survey from South Taranaki Bight to the west coast South Island, March–April 2025 (KHR2503/KHR2504)

This report presents the results from the first inshore trawl survey in a new time series from New Plymouth south along the west coast of the North and South Islands to the Haast River mouth, and including Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. The survey covers depths from 10 to 400 m, using RV Kaharoa II and was principally aimed at surveying snapper, giant stargazer, red cod, red gurnard, spiny dogfish, and tarakihi, though useful estimates are achieved for other species too. The joining of the North Island strata to the South Island strata was to cover the full distribution of snapper in the geographic area at the same time of year. The survey was split into two areas: west coast central (WCC) and west coast South Island (WCSI); divided by a line drawn between Farewell Spit and Stephens Island.

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

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

A total of 35 phase one stations were successfully completed in the WCC area with one phase two station. In the WCSI area, 64 stations were successfully completed, with 59 forming the basis for the intercalibration experiment.

Abundance estimates and other data on target species are presented in this report. Information on non-target species is available in the Trawl Survey Information Portal online at https://tsip.niwa.co.nz/home