In 2018, a validation study was commissioned to evaluate two different sources of immunomagnetic beads (IMS) used for the isolation of Top7 STEC from meat enrichments. Confirmation of Top7 STEC in screen positive enrichments is a requirement for export of raw beef trim product used for grinding to the US. Both IMS beads performed equally well; RapidChek® CONFIRM™ STEC IMS Kit and Dynabeads™ O157 beads were selected for use. This aligns NZ methods more closely with those used in the USA.

Following the outbreak of EAHEC O104 in Germany 2011, involving 16 countries and more than 4000 people, this strain became endemic in Europe. To support potential market access requirements, MPI commissioned Hill Laboratories to evaluate existing PCR methodologies for the detection of EAHEC O104 and other EAHEC strains (eg O127:H4 and O80:H4), and to evaluate their usefulness for screening meat enrichment samples.

This paper summarises catch and effort statistics for rock lobsters by 1 April–31 March fishing year for the nine CRA QMAs, ending with 31 March 2022. These summaries include number of vessels, catch and effort (potlifts) by QMA and statistical area, landings by month and a range of QMA-specific CPUE series that are used in stock assessments. Standardised CPUE has not been updated beginning with 2019–20 because of comparability issues after the introduction of the electronic reporting system.

An acoustic survey of the orange roughy (Hoplosthethus atlanticus) stocks off the Mid-East Coast of the North Island was carried out in June 2021 by NIWA onboard research vessel Tangaroa. The survey was conducted using deep-towed acoustic systems which combine narrow and broadband echosounders and operate dual frequencies. Mark-identification trawls were carried out to collect biological data, track the progression of the spawning, and inform the species composition of the spawning aggregations.

This report describes the survey estimates for blackfoot pāua landed by amateur fishers from land-based access points in the Kaikōura Marine Area, Ward Beach, and Marfells Beach during a 3-month open season from 1 December 2021. This area had been closed to recreational and commercial fishers for five years following significant earthquakes caused coastal uplift and habitat damage. The survey also recorded catch of red rock lobster and estimated land-based harvest.

This report describes the results of the blue cod (Parapercis colias) random-site potting survey carried out in Marlborough Sounds in October 2021. Estimates are provided for population abundance, size and age structure, sex ratio, total mortality (Z), and spawner biomass-per-recruit ratio. This is the third full random-site blue cod survey carried out in the Marlborough Sounds and the tenth survey overall, with nine fixed-site surveys carried out between 1995 and 2017.