The 2016 Kaikōura earthquake had massive impacts on pāua populations, resulting in the 4-year closure of the local pāua fishery. Surveys were undertaken over the last four years to monitor pāua population recovery. Increases in adult pāua abundance and post-earthquake recruitment were observed across the fishery. These findings supported the Minster’s decision to re-open the fishery for 3 months on the 1st of December 2021 and ongoing monitoring will assist future management decisions.
Management Plan Order
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2022/0038/latest/LMS643562.html?src=qs
Levy Order
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2022/0039/latest/LMS643223.html?src=qs
This report updates the information on annual patterns of settlement for the red rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) on crevice collectors at seven key sites for the 2020 fishing year. Settlement was very high at Moeraki, above average at Castlepoint, just above average at Gisborne and Jackson Bay, average at Halfmoon Bay, and below average at Napier and Kaikōura.
Standardised CPUE indices were developed for the ‘Chatham East’ area of BAR 4 and for the squid target fishery in BAR 5. The index for 'Chatham East' is highly variable and fishing selectivities have likely changed with changes in fleet structure and targeting, with the arrival of the large vessel (offshore) fleet in 2014. The BAR 5 squid target index was accepted as representative of abundance, but further work is needed to develop an index for the non-squid target fisheries.
The length and age of trevally in TRE 1 and 2 was investigated by sampling bottom trawl (BT) and Modular Harvest System (MHS) landings between 2017 and 2020. East Northland/Hauraki Gulf had small and young trevally, but older fish have become more common. Bay of Plenty had an increasing proportion of large and old trevally. TRE 2 was dominated by small and young fish. The level of precision achieved was marginally acceptable. BT may have a higher selectivity for small trevally compared to MHS.