Best Fish Guide

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2 Best Fish Guide How sustainable is New Zealand seafood? (Ecological Assessments) Produced and Published by Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, Inc. PO Box 631, Level One, 90 Ghuznee Street, Wellington. January 2012

3 Acknowledgements Forest & Bird would like to thank anonymous reviewers for their peer review comments on this draft. We also thank Shaun Clouston, Peta Methias, Al Brown, Annabel Langbein, Martin Bosley, Fleur Sullivan, Robert Oliver, Julie Le Clerc, Brett McGregor, Nadia Lim, Lauraine Jacobs, Grahame Thorne for permission to use their recipes on the website. Special thanks to our Best Fish Guide champion Lauraine Jacobs. Author / Technical Advisor: Barry Weeber Editing: Katrina Subedar Cover Design: Rob Deliver Cover fish (Kingfish): Colin Gans The author and Forest & Bird thanks Michael Szabo, Kevin Hackwell, Dr. Liz Slooten, Cath Wallace, Alan Tennyson, Sue Yates, Carol Knutson, Karli Thomas, Kate Mitcalfe, Kirstie Knowles, New Zealand Marine Science Society Executive and anonymous reviewers for their peer review comments. Images: Malcolm Francis: Peter Langlands: Ministry of Fisheries: John Holdsworth: Kirstie Knowles: Department of Conservation: Quentin Bennett: Scott Macindoe: Jim Mikoz: Forest & Bird: Bruce Mahalski: Robbie N.Cada: FAO: CSIRO: blue cod, blue moki, blue shark, butterfish, groper/hapuku, hoki, jack mackerel, john dory, kahawai, kingfish, leather jacket, moonfish, paua, porbeagle shark, red gurnard, red snapper, scallop, school shark, sea perch, snapper, spiny dogfish, tarakihi, trevally and trumpeter. blue warehou, cockles, elephantfish, frostfish, lookdown dory, oyster, pale ghost shark, queen scallops, red cod, rig/lemonfish, rubyfish and scampi. albacore tuna, bigeye tuna, blue mackerel, pacific bluefin tuna, skipjack tuna, southern bluefin tuna and swordfish. gemfish, striped marlin and yellowfin tuna. sand flounder and rock lobster. kina and skate. mako shark. garfish. yellow-eyed mullet. arrow squid, dark ghost shark, orange roughy, smooth oreo, packhorse lobster, paddle crabs, stargazer and white warehou. alfonsino and ling grey mullet and pilchard. barracouta, black cardinalfish, bluenose, hake, ribaldo, southern blue whiting and sprat. anchovy and silver warehou. First published November 2004 Revised 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012 Recommended citation: Forest & Bird (2012) Best Fish Guide : How sustainable is New Zealand seafood? (Ecological Assessments). Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc, Wellington. Disclaimer Every effort has been made by Forest & Bird to obtain permission to reproduce the images in this guide and to credit them accordingly. Where it has not been possible to contact the copyright holder we have included a credit. Every effort has also been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this guide. Forest & Bird welcomes any comments or further information on the text and images, but cannot accept any liability for any errors or omissions.

4 Contents Introduction 1 New Zealand s oceans 1 Oceans under threat 1 Our vision 3 The Best Fish Guide 3 Questions to ask 4 Farmed seafood 5 Best Fish Guide assessment summary 6 Fishery Facts 6 The Best and the Worst 7 Seafood assessment results Appendix I Best Fish Guide Wallet Card 167 Appendix II Table of assessment scores 168 Acronyms 171 Glossary of terms 172 Glossary of fish names 175 Note. A full list of references used to complete the ecological assessments presented in this report are provided in the Best Fish Guide assessment methodology

5 Index to fish species assessments Seafood species Page Seafood species Page Albacore tuna 10 Oyster 89 Alfonsino 12 Pacific bluefin tuna 91 Anchovy 14 Packhorse lobster 93 Antarctic toothfish 16 Paddle crabs 95 Arrow squid 18 Pale ghost shark 97 Barracouta 20 Patagonian toothfish 99 Bigeye tuna 22 Paua 101 Black cardinalfish 24 Pilchard 103 Blue cod 26 Porbeagle shark 105 Blue mackerel 28 Queen scallops 107 Blue moki 30 Ray s Bream 109 Blue shark 32 Red cod 111 Blue warehou 34 Red gurnard 113 Bluenose 36 Red snapper 115 Butterfish 38 Ribaldo 117 Cockles 40 Rig / Lemonfish 119 Dark ghost shark 42 Rock lobster / Crayfish 121 Eels 44 Rubyfish 123 Elephant fish 46 Scallops 125 Flatfish 48 Scampi 127 Frostfish 50 School shark 129 Garfish 52 Sea perch 131 Gemfish 54 Silver warehou 133 Grey mullet 56 Skates 135 Groper / Hapuku / Bass 58 Skipjack tuna 137 Hake 60 Snapper 139 Hoki 62 Southern blue whiting 141 Jack mackerel 64 Southern bluefin tuna 143 John dory 66 Spiny dogfish 145 Kahawai 68 Sprats 147 Kina Kingfish Stargazer / Monkfish Striped marlin Leatherjacket / Creamfish Ling Lookdown dory Mako shark Moonfish Orange Roughy Oreos / Deepwater dory Swordfish Tarakihi Trevally Trumpeter White warehou Yellow fin tuna Yellow-eyed mullet

6 Introduction New Zealand s oceans New Zealand has one of the largest marine areas in the world, covering more than 1% of the Earth s surface and 23 times our land area. The marine areas of New Zealand s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf are incredibly diverse. They range from the sub-tropical oceans in the north, to our temperate waters around the mainland and cool sub- Antarctic waters in the south. Many of our marine species are found nowhere else in the world. Scientists estimate that more than 80% of New Zealand s biodiversity is found in our oceans (NZ Biodiversity, 2000), and much more is yet to be discovered. About 17,135 marine species are known from New Zealand, including some 4315 undescribed species in collections (Gordon et al., 2010). The total number of species in the New Zealand marine environment could be well over 100,000 species (Gordon et al., 2010). New species are being discovered all the time, for example around 20 new fish species found each year (Gordon et al., l 2010). Our marine area is also a vital part of our economy, supporting out $1.5 billion fishing industry and our $20 billion tourism industry. It is also central to our national identity: most New Zealanders live near the ocean and have a close relationship with the marine environment. We collect kaimoana or seafood, swim, dive, snorkel and sail, and appreciate the variety of marine life. New Zealand has 34 marine reserves (no-take areas), yet less than 1% of New Zealand s marine environment is currently protected. Oceans under threat New Zealand s marine environment is under increasing pressure from human activities. Climate change, pollution, coastal development, mineral exploration and mining create cumulative effects that are having a detrimental impact on the health of the marine environment and marine life. Fishing operations have the most significant impact on the marine environment, both through the amount of fish caught and the methods used to catch it. Some fishing practices, such as bottom trawling and dredging, used by fisheries in New Zealand waters damage the marine environment. Over the last 50 years fishing technologies have developed to such an extent that the scale of fishing operations now exceeds a level that is sustainable. The UN estimates that 70% of the world s fisheries are now exploited to their limits, over-exploited or depleted. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 1

7 Many fisheries also catch significant levels of by-catch species such as albatrosses, dolphins, sea lions and other non-target species. According to Statistics New Zealand fishing uses more energy than any other industry sector, increasing by 40% in the last decade. New Zealand prides itself on our clean, green image, and promotes its fisheries management as world-leading. Compared to some fisheries, this is partly true New Zealand does take a comprehensive management approach and is recognised as being among the best. But comparing ourselves to countries with no management or very poor fisheries management does not mean that we should be proud of our situation. New Zealand is still far from living up to its slogan If it s from New Zealand, it s sustainable. Wild fisheries typically take place in open waters, with low levels of enforcement of rules that aim to ensure sustainability, and few observers to report any breaches or problems. New Zealand s fisheries quota management system (QMS) is a rights-based system that entitles quota holders to a right to fish, which encourages them to fish to the maximum level allowed under their quota, rather than take a more sustainable approach. To ensure sustainability, the QMS requires good information and a precautionary approach. Fisheries management in New Zealand is failing by: Allowing significant waste of fisheries resources. Having no upper size limit and allowing fish that have gathered to spawn to be caught, reducing the ability of fish populations to reproduce. Targeting the maximum (rather than an optimum or precautionary) yield. Lacking information about fish stocks and how sustainable catches are. Allowing or poorly managing levels of marine mammal and seabird deaths, including endangered species. Using destructive fishing techniques, such as bottom trawling and dredging, which destroy habitats and seabed life. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 2

8 Our vision Forest & Bird has a vision for a more sustainable fishery by 2030: A healthy and diverse marine environment supporting an abundance of marine life, where profitable fisheries operate alongside other activities. Adverse impacts of fishing on the marine environment have been repaired or mitigated, and nursery areas important for replenishment of populations are fully protected, within marine reserves. New Zealand meets or exceeds world s best practice in fisheries management and environmental practice, so it can market truly sustainable products worldwide. Forest & Bird hopes that making seafood consumers aware of problems behind our fisheries management will help them make better choices and encourage our fisheries to improve their practices. The Best Fish Guide The Best Fish Guide is a tool to inform seafood consumers and encourage environmentally sound choices of seafood. The guide covers and assesses New Zealand s wild-caught fisheries (see the section about farmed fisheries for more information page 5). The assessment is based on six criteria, some of which are given heavier weighting than others: Criteria Status and sustainability of catch Captures of protected or globally threatened species Fishing method and impact Fish biology and vulnerability to overfishing Management regime appropriate to species Management effectiveness and information levels Weighting High High Medium Medium Medium Low The Best Fish Guide assessment methodology has been peer reviewed and is available for you to download at It is also available from Forest & Bird s national office. The Best Fish Guide presents the results of its assessments in three formats: Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 3

9 A detailed ecological assessment report (pages of this report) A comprehensive online reference tool ( A wallet guide that summarises fish rankings at a glance. The wallet guide ranks fisheries from green (best choice) to red (worst choice) (see Appendix I). A mobile application for use downloadable from To help you get the best taste from your Best Fish Guide we asked New Zealand chefs and fish fans, including Shaun Clouston, Al Brown, Peta Methias, Annabel Langbein, Martin Bosley, Fleur Sullivan, Robert Oliver, Julie Le Clerc, Brett McGregor, Nadia Lim, Lauraine Jacobs and Grahame Thorne to share their favourite and sustainable fish recipes using the species identified as best choice in the guide. You can find them at or directly from our mobile application. Questions to ask Unfortunately many seafood retailers have poor information and labelling, making it difficult to make a sustainable choice. As well as using the Best Fish Guide, you can ask your retailer questions: What species is it? Most fish species are known by a number of different names. For example, groper is also known as bass and hapuku. Or it can work the other way: sometimes different species are known by the same name. For example fish labelled as tuna could be a good choice species like albacore tuna, or it could be a worst choice like southern bluefin tuna. To identify what type of fish you are buying, go to the Best Fish Guide glossary of fish names ( Where was it caught? If your seafood was caught locally its ecological footprint is smaller because it doesn t have to be transported so far. It is also easier to check how local fish were caught. The sustainability of fisheries in some regions is better than in other regions. By asking where the fish was caught and checking the Best Fish Guide seafood species assessments you can find out whether that species is caught sustainably in that locality. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 4

10 How was it caught? Some fishing methods (bottom trawling and dredging) have devastating impacts on seafloor habitats; other methods (gill/set netting, trawl fishing, long-lining) cause deaths of vulnerable species. By asking how your fish was caught you can avoid the high impact and damaging methods. By asking these questions you can support more sustainable fishing practices and better management of fisheries. Alternative Choices For seafood listed as worst choice (red species) we are suggesting better ecological seafood choices which are near equivalent alternative species to consider. Farmed seafood This Best Fish Guide only assesses New Zealand s commercial marine fisheries. Forest & Bird is developing criteria and a methodology for assessing New Zealand farmed seafood which will be available later in The main species farmed in New Zealand are molluscs, such as mussels and oysters, and fin fish, in particular salmon. Farmed molluscs generally have a lower ecological impact than farmed fin fish. A particular concern about fish farming is the feeding of reared fish with wild-caught seafood. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 5

11 Best Fish Guide assessment summary The Best Fish Guide assessment was carried out in December 2011 using the latest government and published information on the biology, status and management of fish stocks, protected species captures, habitat damage and ecological damage caused by fishing methods to marine life. Fishery Facts Of New Zealand s 78 commercial fisheries assessed: 32 (42%) are over-fished or there has been a substantial decline in stocks 54 (69%) cause habitat damage 47 (60%) kill significant numbers of seabirds 48 (62%) kill a significant number of marine mammals 55 (71%) catch too much non-target fish 55 (71%) cause adverse ecological effects 44 (56%) have never had a quantitative stock assessment and stock status is unknown 16 (20%) have had a full stock assessment in the last 10 years (some showed that little was known about the state of the stocks). 10 (13%) have quantitative stock assessments which are more than 10 years old; 19 (24%) have had only a partial stock assessment in the last 10 years. 12 (15%) have had all stocks assessed in the last 5 years. 27 (35%) were missing basic biological information required to manage the stock. 62 (80%) have no management plan but all lack standards 13 (17%) manage more than one species as a single species Every year over 1300 commercial fishing vessels fish in New Zealand waters: Also: Catching 422,000 tonnes of fish in the fishing year, with hoki making up the largest proportion. (This is down from 652,000 tonnes in 1998). Setting 10,000 km of nets; Setting 44 million hooks; Making 100,000 trawls; Making 90,000 dredge tows. Total area trawled increased from 85,448 km 2 in 1990 to a peak of 166,233 km 2 in 1998 in middle depth and deep water fisheries 1. In 2008, 85,222 km 2 was trawled by middle and deep water fisheries 1 (with most fishing in areas targeting hoki, squid, orange roughy, scampi and snapper). Around 1000 fur seals are killed annually in New Zealand fisheries 2. 1 Ministry for the Environment (2009). Environmental Report: Area swept by trawling; Ministry for the Environment (2010). Environmental Report: Area swept by trawling. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 6

12 The Best and the Worst New Zealand s most ecologically sustainable fisheries are generally those with low-impact fishing methods, targeting species with a low vulnerability to fishing, or caught in well-managed fisheries. The highest-ranking fisheries that represent the best seafood choices are anchovies and pilchards. Close behind, still offering a good seafood choice, are albacore tuna, kina, cockles and kahawai. Improvements 3 A number of commercially caught species have moved up the Best Fish Guide rankings, including hoki, albacore tuna, rock lobster and yellowfin tuna. The worst-ranking fisheries are orange roughy and porbeagle shark, followed by snapper, oreo/deepwater dory, southern bluefin tuna, mako shark, Ray s bream, blue shark and black cardinalfish. These fish represent a poor seafood choice and should be avoided. Degraded 3 Quite a few commercially caught species have moved down the Best Fish Guide rankings. These include skipjack tuna, barracouta, scallops, and jack mackerel. Below is a table illustrating some of New Zealand s fisheries with the greatest environmental impact (unless otherwise stated, these numbers are based on a 3 year average of the latest information): Ecological impact Worst offending fisheries (in order of impact) Numbers killed per year Marine Mammals - Hector's/Maui dolphins 4 Rig/lemonfish, school shark, elephantfish, butterfish NZ sea lions 5 Southern squid trawl fishery, scampi, southern blue whiting - NZ fur seals 5 Hoki, southern blue whiting, ling 1,060 - Dolphins (common, Jack mackerel, blue mackerel 58 porpoise, bottlenose) 5 Seabirds 5 - Albatrosses Squid trawl, hoki trawl, tuna longline, swordfish longline 14, * 2 Smith M.H. and S. J. Baird (2009) Model-based estimation of New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus foresteri) incidental captures and strike rates for trawl fishing in New Zealand waters for the years to NZ Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity, No 40. AND. Abraham E R, Thompson F N, and Oliver M D (2010) Summary of Seabirds, marine mammals, and turtles in New Zealand commercial fisheries, to NZ Aquatic Env ironment and Biodiversity Report No p. 3 Change in status relative to the Best Fish Guide assessment. 4 Davies, N., Bian, R., Starr, P., Lallemand, P., Gilbert, D. and McKenzie, J. (2008) Risk analysis of Hector s dolphins and Maui s dolphin subpopulations to commercial set net fishing using a temporal-spatial age-structured model. NIWA, Wellington. 5 Yvan Richards, Edward R. Abraham & Dominique Filippi (2011). Assessment of the risk to seabird populations from New Zealand commercial fisheries. Final Research Report for Ministry of Fisheries projects IPA2009/19 and IPA2009/20 (unpublished report held by the Ministry of Fisheries, Wellington). Thompson F N and E R Abraham (2011) Estimation of the capture of NZ Sea Lions (Phocarctos hookeri) in trawl fisheries, from to NZ Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No p; Abraham, E. R. and Thompson, F. N (2009) Capture of protected species in New Zealand trawl and longline fisheries to Dragonfly, Wellington. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 7

13 Turtles 5 Tuna longline fisheries 50 Seafloor species 8 Bottom trawl fisheries (e.g. orange roughy and oreo) 30+ tonnes - Petrels Squid trawl, hoki trawl, tuna longline 10,000 - Fishing methods Longline fisheries 2,290 e.g. Tuna longline fisheries (southern bluefin tuna, big-eye tuna, etc) e.g. Bottom longline fisheries snapper, ling, bluenose 1,680 4,870 Trawl fisheries (e.g. squid, hoki, scampi) 22,700 Sharks - Basking sharks 6 Hoki, squid, barracouta 50 - Blue sharks 7 Tuna longline fishery 50,000 Finned sharks (proportion e.g. blue shark 73% of sharks finned) 6 e.g. porbeagle shark 65% e.g. mako shark 60% Incidental (non-target) bycatch Scampi fishery 9 Southern bluefin tuna 10 Trawl fisheries 11 Dredge fisheries (e.g. oysters and scallops) x total scampi catch 20 x total southern bluefin tuna catch 10-25% of total target catch x total target catch * New Zealand sea lion bycatch is more uncertain due to the use of metal grids in squid nets which means that few sea lions are observed caught. A summary of the ecological assessment scores for each New Zealand seafood species is presented in Appendix II (page130). 6 Ministry of Fisheries (2008) New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks. Ministry of Fisheries, Wellington; Ministry of Fisheries (2010) Operational Management Plan for Large Pelagic Species. 27p._ 7 Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries (2011) Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. 355p. 8 Anderson O. F. (2009) Fish Discards and non-target fish catch in the New Zealand orange roughy trawl fishery, to New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No p. 9 Anderson O. F. (2007) Fish Discards and non-target fish catch in the New Zealand jack mackerel trawl fishery, to New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No p; Ballara S.L. and Anderson O.F. (2009) Fish Discards and non-target fish catch in the trawl fisheries for arrow squid and scampi in New Zealand waters. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No p.; Anderson O. F. (2009) Fish Discards and non-target fish catch in the New Zealand orange roughy trawl fishery, to New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No p.; Anderson O. F. and Smith M. H. (2007) Fish Discards and non-target fish catch in the New Zealand hoki trawl fishery, to New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report, 2005/3 37p. 10 Griggs, L.H., Baird, S. J. and Francis, M.P. (2007) Fish bycatch in New Zealand tuna longline fisheries, to New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2007/18. 58p. 11 Anderson O. F. (2007) Fish Discards and non-target fish catch in the New Zealand jack mackerel trawl fishery, to New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No p. 12 Beentjes, M.P. and Baird S.J. (2004) Review of dredge fishing technologies and practice for application in New Zealand. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2004/37. 40p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 8

14 Seafood assessment results The following pages detail the ecological assessments of each commercially caught New Zealand seafood species. (An index is presented at the front of this report.) To aid the reader, a quick reference to the key ecological concerns are illustrated with one of the following icons: Fish stock(s) increasing after period of substantial decline. Fish stock(s) over-fished or have substantially declined Fishery causes habitat damage Fishery has a seabird bycatch problem Fishery has a marine mammal bycatch problem Fishery has a non-target fish bycatch problem Fishery causes adverse ecological effects Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 9

15 Albacore tuna Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Thunnus alalunga White tuna (canned); albacore, longfinned albacore, thon blanc (France), tunny (UK), binnaga, bincho, tombo (Japan). Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: This top predator is a highly migratory species of tuna that is mainly caught by troll (80%) and longline fisheries (20%) of the catch) off the west coast of New Zealand s North and South Islands. The albacore catch steadily increased following the start of commercial fishing in the 1960s and fluctuated (between 2000 and 6600 tonnes) in the last ten years (Lewis and Williams, 2001, p29). The albacore troll fishery has received environmental certification under an international body - the Marine Stewardship Council. The New Zealand catch represents about 3 percent of the South Pacific catch. Ecological concerns: The bycatch of sharks, seabirds and fur seals, declining stock trends and the absence of national and South Pacific catch limits, and a management plan. Removal of this large predatory species from the ocean s food web has wide ecological implications. The Troll fishery catches immature fish. Economic value: The main market is for canned albacore, with the canning process done outside New Zealand. Canned albacore tuna is sold as white tuna, mainly in the USA. The export value was $10.5 million in The export value of all tuna species combined was $38 million in Best option: Albacore is the most ecologically sustainable tuna species in the Best Fish Guide. Troll caught tuna (e.g. West Coast of the South Island) which has MSC certification. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology & risk of overfishing (score: C) Distribution: Albacore tuna are a highly migratory species found on the west coast of the North and South Islands between New Plymouth and Fiordland. It is also found on the East Coast of the North Island. Maximum age (years): 20? Age at sexual maturity: 6-8 Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age first exploited: 1-2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score: B) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: There are no catch limits set for New Zealand (it is not in the QMS) and there is no global catch limit. Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 2290 tonnes in Stock trends: Declining catch rates in longline fishery. MSY Status: Estimate to be above B MSY and below F msy. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: The key conclusion of the..are that overfishing is not occurring and the stock is not in an overfished state. There is no indication that current levels of catch are causing recruitment overfishing. However, current levels of fishing mortality may be affecting longline catch rates on adult albacore. (MFish 2011, p40-42). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 10

16 Impact of fishing method and Protected, threatened or endangered species bycatch (score: C and B) Fishing Method(s): Trolling on the West Coast of the South Island and long lining around the North Island. Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: Sharks and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery and sharks are caught in the troll fishery. Ecological effects: Excess removal of this and other large predatory species has knock-on effects on the wider food web. Management and Management unit (score: C and D) Quota Management Species: No. Catch limits: No, nor is there an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ). Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan and operational plan completed but the plan lacks key environmental standards. The albacore troll fishery has received environmental certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (and international body that assesses and awards sustainable fisheries certifications). Management component: Single species Stock assessment: No New Zealand quantitative assessment but a 2008 and 2011 assessment for the WCPFC is used. References: Overview of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries (2000) A Lewis and P Williams, Oceanic Fisheries Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia, August 2001; National Tuna Fishery Report (2001) New Zealand, T Murray and L Griggs, NIWA; Report from Fishery Assessment Plenary November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Ministry of Fisheries Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries (2010) Operational Management Plan for Albacore Tuna. 16p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 11

17 Alfonsino Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Beryx splendens, D. decadactylus Splendid alfonsino, sudlicher kaiserbarsch (Germany), roodbars (Netherlands), beryx (France), kinmedai, kinme (Japan). Blue cod E (Red - Avoid) Description: Alfonsino is actually the name used for two deepwater species related to the red snapper. They are both widely dispersed in New Zealand waters and are particularly found around seamounts and deepwater reefs in waters 200 to 800m deep.? Ecological concerns: Management of two species as one, damage by fishing gear to seamounts, ecological impacts of bottom trawling, shark bycatch, limited research, lack of a management detailed plan, unknown stock status and unknown sustainability of recent catch levels and current catch limits in all of the fish stocks. Economic value: Main market is Japan with exports of about $7 million per year. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (Score C) Distribution: Widely dispersed in New Zealand waters, but mainly found near seamounts off the east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Rise at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 17 Age at sexual maturity: 4-5 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 4-5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown but could be part of a widely distributed South Pacific stock. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 3000 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 2,865 tonnes in Catch limits have been exceeded in BYX 2 for six of the last ten years. Stock trends: For BYX1 is likely to be declining towards Bmsy.. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For BYX 1 Stock size is likely to decline towards B MSY under current catches and TACCs. For BYX 2 current catches appears to be sustainable in the short to medium term. For BYX 3 It is not known if the recent catch levels or the current TACC [total allowable commercial catch] are sustainable. (MFish 2011, p45-47). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B) Fishing Method(s): Mainly bottom trawling and some mid-water trawling, over hills and seamounts around the Chatham Rise. Habitat damage: Trawling damages fragile underwater seamounts, altering unique community complexes. Bycatch: Sharks and a range of non-target species, including sponges and corals. Ecological effects: Destruction to seafloor habitats and seamount ecosystems. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 12

18 Management and management unit (score D and E) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Two species managed as one. Stock assessment: No assessments for any area except BYX 1 and BYX 2, which has had no quantitative assessment since References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 13

19 Anchovy Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Engraulis australis kokowhaawhaa, korowhaawhaa (Maori), Southern anchovy Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: This small, fast growing, but short-lived schooling fish is common in coastal waters, particularly in sheltered bays. It is often found in mixed schools with pilchards and sprats and occurs around the world. Jointly with pilchards and sprats, anchovy has the best ecological ranking of any commercial fishery in New Zealand.? Ecological concerns: There are no estimates of the size of its sustainable yield, a lack of basic biological information on natural mortality, growth or stock structure, limited research and lack of a management plan. There is also concern that reducing their population could disrupt marine food chains as it is a prey item for many other fish species. Economic value: New Zealand and exports of under $100,000 per year. Best option: Anchovy are one of the best New Zealand seafood choices. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score A) Distribution: Commonly found in inshore waters around the North Island and upper South Island. Maximum age (years): 6 Age at sexual maturity: 1 Growth rate: High. Reproductive output: High. Age exploited: 2 years Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 560 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 12 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: This species has been very lightly fished, so it is thought to be at or close to its natural level. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: At the present level of minimal catches, stocks are at or close to their natural level. This is nominally a virgin biomass, but not necessarily a stable one. It is not currently possible to estimate a long-term sustainable yield for anchovy. (MFish 2011, p52). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species capture (score D and A) Fishing Method(s): Lampara nets and purse seining. Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: Some bycatch of other pelagic fish. Ecological effects: Reducing the anchovy population disrupts marine food chains, reducing a prey species for other species including larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals as has happened with anchovy fisheries elsewhere. Sometimes anchovy are discarded when there are no markets, making this effect unnecessary. Management and management unit (score E and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 14

20 Stock assessment: No quantitative assessments. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 15

21 Antarctic Toothfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Dissostichus mawsoni Chilean sea bass (USA), Légine australe (France), Austromerluza negra (Spain) Trevally or Tarakihi Description: Antarctic toothfish is found throughout the southern ocean adjacent to Antarctica south of 60 0 Sth. This is an important predator of the Southern Ocean which is also important in the diet of orca and seals. It is caught by longline fishing. New Zealand longline vessels mainly operate in the Ross Sea region. Ross Sea toothfish fisheries are certified as sustainable under the international Marine Stewardship Council scheme, but it still has significant ecological impacts. The fisheries are management by the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) as exploratory fisheries. Ecological concerns: The bycatch of sharks and rays and impact of longlining on vulnerable marine ecosystems. Also of concern is the removal of a large predator in the Ross Sea which is also the prey of a number of marine mammal species. Also of concern is the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing that has occurred in waters controlled by CCAMLR. There is also a proposal for a large marine reserve in the Ross Sea. Plus there is the absence of an operational management plan. Economic value: Exported primarily to USA, Japan, China at $18m in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: Antarctic toothfish is found throughout the southern ocean adjacent to Antarctica south of 60 0 Sth. Maximum age (years): 48+ Age at sexual maturity: years. Growth rate: slow. Reproductive output: low. Age exploited: 5-7 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Stock size around 71,000 tonnes for the combined Ross Sea region. Unknown for other Antarctic toothfish stocks. Annual catch limit: Of 3812 tonnes for for Ross Sea Region. Catch limits are determined annually by CCAMLR. Recorded catch: Combined Antarctic toothfish catches of 3458 tonnes in 2011 for the Ross Sea Region out of a total of 3650 tonnes in the Southern Ocean. New Zealand vessels catch about 35-40% of the global Antarctic toothfish catch. Stock trends: Ross Sea declining towards a target of 50%Bo for the mature stock. Unknown for other Antarctic toothfish stocks. MSY Status: For the Ross Sea above Bmsy and stocks are estimated at between 78 and 88% of Bo. Unknown for other Antarctic toothfish stocks. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Ross Sea Stock: For the base case model and for sensitivity runs, current biomass is estimated to be between 78% and 84% B0. Estimates of long term yield based on the CCAMLR decision rules were 3282 t. At its 2011 meeting CCAMLR agreed to set the catch limit in 2011/12 to 3282 t for the Ross Sea (CCAMLR 2011). 88.2C-G Stock: For the base case model and for sensitivity runs, current biomass is estimated to be between 78% and 88% B0. The estimate of long term yield based on the CCAMLR decision rules was 530 tonnes. At its 2011 meeting CCAMLR agreed to set the catch limit in 2011/12 to 530 t (CCAMLR 2011). (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and D) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 16

22 Fishing method(s): Antarctic toothfish is caught in targeted bottom longline by both autoliners, trott lines and Spanish longline gear. IUU vessels use gill nets and longlines. Habitat damage: Bottom longlining affecting vulnerable marine ecosystems, including long-lived species, especially rare species or unique community assemblages. Bycatch: Bycatch includes a range of corals, sponges and other benthic species. Bycatch of grenadiers (142 tonnes) and two or three species of rays ( caught) plus a range of cod species. Ecological effects: The effects of longlines impacting on coral, sponges and other seafloor damage and alteration, captures of skates, and the removal of a important predator that is also a prey species for Orca (type C), Weddell Seals and sperm whales. Also of concern is the regular loss of substantial amounts of longline gear in the Ross Sea region. Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: No, managed by CCAMLR measures in the Ross Sea and Southern Ocean. Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No Management Plan. Management component: Single species, however stock boundaries are not determined. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment for Ross Sea and Ross Sea Region (CCAMLR areas 88.1 and 88.2). References: European marketing and the MSC, SEAFOOD magazine, May 2004, Vol 12 no. 4, p8; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; MFish Starfish web pages 2004; SeaFIC website CCAMLR Scientific Committee Report 2011 (advance copy) and 2010 Fishery Report 88.1 and 88.2.Picture: NIWA (2008) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 17

23 Arrow Squid Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Nototodarus gouldi and Nototodarus Sloanii wheketere (Maori), short-finned squid, c alamari (Australia), kalamari, teftis ( Greece), kalmar (Germany), pota (Spain). No alternative Description: These two species of squid are very short lived (1 year) and range from surface depths down to 500 metres in coastal waters around New Zealand. Arrow squid are mainly caught off the South Island and the Auckland Islands with most taken by mid-water trawling, with the rest caught by bottom trawling and jigging.? Ecological concerns: Trawl caught squid, where there is a high number of threatened NZ sea lions, NZ fur seals, seabirds and non-target fish killed as bycatch, plus damage done to the seabed and associated species by bottom trawling. The Auckland Islands squid trawl fishery is of particular concern, killing thousands of seabirds and over 131 NZ sea lions per year from the main breeding colony, which is in serious decline and predicted to be functional extinct by The state of stocks, absence of research and lack of a management plan are also concerns. In addition, two species are managed as one and there is an absence of basic biological information on squid and no research programme focussed on squid. Economic value: Most arrow squid are exported frozen to Greece (17%), Spain (15%) and Australia (12%). Exports vary considerably between years and were worth about $104 million in , which was well below 2004 exports ($172m). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score A) Distribution: Nototodarus sloanii is found off the East Coast of the South Island and the Southern Plateau, while N. gouldi occurs in warmer waters off the East and West coasts of the North Island, south of the sub-tropical convergence. Maximum age (years): 1 Size at sexual maturity: cm (mantle length). Growth rate: High. Reproductive output: Very high. Size exploited: Approximately 20cm (mantle length). Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Set at 127,332 tonnes every year since but there have been additional in-season adjustments in Squid 1T of an additional catch of 10 to 30%. Recorded catch: Reported landings of 32,436 tonnes in was about a quarter of the TACC set in all years since and the lowest catch since Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: it is not possible to estimate a long-term sustainable yield for squid, nor determine if recent catch levels or the current TACC [total allowable commercial catch] will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support the MSY *maximum sustainable yield+. (MFish, 2011, p62). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing Method(s): Approximately 30% are caught by bottom trawling with the rest coming from mid-water trawling and a small amount by squid jigging, a more environmentally friendly method which uses bright lights to attract squid to the jiggers. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 18

24 Habitat damage: Bottom trawling and mid-water trawl gear fished near the seafloor damages the seabed. Bycatch: Globally threatened NZ sea lions, which have been in decline for the last 10 years, NZ fur seals, albatross and petrels drown in trawl nets. The fishery also catches globally threatened basking sharks. The squid fishery is assessed as New Zealand worst fishery for impacts on seabirds with an estimated 4600 seabird deaths of which 2200 are whitecapped albatross. Ecological effects: Damage to seafloor habitats and removal of these important prey species can affect populations of larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals, including the threatened NZ sea lion. Management and management unit (score E and E) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Two species managed as one. Stock assessment: No quantitative assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd.; NZ SeaFIC website Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 19

25 Barracouta Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Thyrsites atun maka, makaa, mangaa (Maori), couta, snoek. Kahawai E (Red - Avoid) Description: Barracouta is a relatively short-lived species that is related to gemfish. It is widely distributed in the Southern oceans and whilst abundant in New Zealand s cooler waters south of Cook Strait, they also occur in our northern waters, ranging from shallow inshore areas to depths of 200m. Once an undesirable bycatch species, barracouta are now an important part of trawl fishery catches.? Ecological concerns: The damage done to large areas of the seabed by bottom trawling, poor knowledge of stock boundaries, limited research, lack of a management plan and uncertainty over the sustainability of the current catch limit and recent catches. Bycatch of NZ fur seals, sea lions, albatrosses and petrels, non-target fish plus removal of this important predator species on food webs are also of concern. Economic value: Main markets include Japan, China, Papua New Guinea, and South Africa. Total exports worth $28 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Mainly found off the South, Chatham, Stewart and Snares Islands to depths of 200m. Maximum age (years): 10+. Age at sexual maturity: 2-3. Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: High to very high. Age exploited: 3 (uncertain) Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 32,672 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 28,451 tonnes in were well under the peak landings of 47,000 tonnes reported in The catch for BAR 5 has exceeded the TACC by up to 25% in five of the last eight years. Stock trends: Unknown. A decline in Southland was indicated from trawl surveys in the 1990 s, but surveys have since been cancelled. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available for any barracouta stocks and therefore it is not known if current TACCs and recent catches are sustainable or whether they are at levels which will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. (MFish, 2011, p71). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing Method: Bottom trawling. Habitat damage: Large areas of benthic communities are damaged by bottom trawling, including bryozoans and crabs. Bycatch: Non-target fish species such as silver warehou and spiny dogfish and a significant bycatch in Southland of NZ fur seals, white-capped (shy) albatrosses and sooty shearwaters. Ecological effects: Fishing for barracouta removes an important predator from food webs. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 20

26 Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Management component: Single species Stock assessment: No quantitative assessment. Yield estimates based on average catch have not been reviewed since References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd.. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 21

27 Bigeye tuna Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Thunnus obesus Ahi, Bigeye, thon obese (France), mabachi (Japan) Albacore or skipjack tuna Description: Bigeye tuna is a highly migratory species that is deeper swimming than other tuna, found off the coast of the North Island for much of the year. Longline fisheries for this tuna occur mainly in the West and East Coast of the North Island from the Bay of Plenty north. New Zealand represents only 3.5 percent of the Pacific catch, which is managed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Ecological concerns: Uncertainty about the state of the stocks, declining stock trend, lack of overall management plan plus the bycatch of sharks, seabirds and fur seals. Bigeye is internationally listed as a threatened species (vulnerable). Economic value: Main markets are Japan, Australia and USA. The export value in 2008 was $1.7 million. The quota value in 2008 of $1.1m. The export value of all tuna species combined was $38 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Big eye tuna are caught mainly on the east and west coast of the North Island, mainly in the Bay of Plenty. Maximum age (years): 11+ Age at sexual maturity: 3-6 Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 714 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 201 tonnes in out of 116,868 tonnes in Western and Central Pacific.. Stock trends: Declining. MSY Status: Likely to be currently above B MSY, but thought to be unsustainable catches 50% higher than sustainable levels. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Recent catches (116,868 t in 2010) are well above the MSY level of 76,760 tonnes. Fishing mortality has generally increased and has recently escalated to levels near or above 1.46 times the MSY level... overfishing is taking place, under current levels of effort the stock is expected to fall below Bmsy in the next few years, (MFish, 2011, p56-58). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing Method: Longlining around the North Island. Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: Sharks, seabirds and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: Excess removal of this and other large predatory species has knock-on effects on the wider food web. Management and management unit (score C and D) Quota Management Species: Yes from Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 22

28 Management component: Single species Stock assessment: No New Zealand quantitative assessment but a 2011 assessment for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention is used. References: Overview of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries, 2000, A Lewis and P Williams, Oceanic Fisheries Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia, August 2001; National Tuna Fishery Report 2001 New Zealand, T Murray and L Griggs, NIWA; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries (2010) Operational Management Plan for Large Pelagic Species. 27p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 23

29 Black cardinalfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Epigonus telescopus akiwa (Maori), big-eye cardinalfish, cardinalfish, apogon (France), tenjikudai, yesemutsu (Japan). Blue cod E (Red - Avoid) Description: This slow growing, long-lived (over 100 years) deepwater species is the only cardinalfish that reaches a marketable size. It is common off the east coast of the North Island at depths of 300 to 800m and is caught in association with alfonsino around seamounts and orange roughy, which has the lowest ecological ranking on the Best Fish Guide. Ecological concerns: The damage done to seamounts by bottom trawling, the bycatch of deepwater sharks, declining catch rates in the main fisher, the unknown state of many stocks and the unsustainability of East Coast North Island and Chatham Rise fisheries, where stocks have been estimated to be just 12% of the original, unfished population size. Limited research, lack of a management plan and the unknown sustainability of the current catch limit or recent catches are also of concern. Economic value: The main market is New Zealand with some exports to Japan and China. Total exports of $4.2million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: Most abundant off the east coast of the North Island in very mobile schools up to 150m off the bottom over hills and rough ground and at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 100+ Age at sexual maturity: Growth rate: Slow. Reproductive output: Low. Size/age exploited: 50-60cm / 35 years. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: Unknown but thought to be relatively small. Annual catch limit: Set at 3148 tonnes in and catch cut to 1968 tonnes for Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1163 tonnes in represents the second lowest catch since the fishery was developed in the mid-1980s. CDL 1 catch has dropped to just 49 tonnes out of a limit of 1200 tonnes. Stock trends: Declining catch rates in the main fishery (CDL2) to a level well below a quarter of that in the early 1990s. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For CDL2, 3 and 4: B 2009 was estimated to be 12% B 0 and Model projections indicate that the biomass will increase at catch levels near or below the level but will decline sharply at catch levels equal to the TACC. For other stocks there is no information (MFish 2011, p783-84). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and D) Fishing Method: Bottom and mid-water trawling north of Chatham Rise where it is caught in association with Orange Roughy and Alfonsino. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling decimates sea floor benthic species assemblages and fragile seamount habitats, bulldozing the sea floor destroying black coral, lace corals, colourful sponge fields, long-lived bryozoans and many other invertebrate species. Bycatch: Deepwater sharks and a range of deepwater species including Orange Roughy. Ecological effects: Impact on seamount communities and deepwater fish populations. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 24

30 Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1998 for CDL 2 to 8 and 1999 for CDL 1 and 9. Catch limits: Yes Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species Stock assessment: The first accepted quantitative stock assessment was completed for CDL 2, 3 and 4 in An assessment of CDL 2 was previously attempted in 1997 and References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 25

31 Blue cod Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Parapercis colias kopukopu, paakirikiri, paatutuki, raawaru (Maori), New Zealand cod, sand perch, taragisu (Japan). Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Blue cod is an endemic bottom dwelling species that is relatively common throughout New Zealand but is most abundant south of Cook Strait. Ecological concerns: The unknown sustainability of current catch limits, which are significantly greater than yield estimates based on past average catches, the combined commercial and recreational catches plus limited research. The impact of trawling on long-lived, slow-growing fragile corals and sponges is also of major concern. Large and heavily baited pots can also damage seafloor species when dropped in deeper waters. Other concerns include shags being caught in pots and the lack of a management plan.? Economic value: New Zealand markets plus exports to Australia, Malaysia, China and Taiwan of less than $1 million in Best option: Blue cod caught by hand line. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Blue cod is a bottom dwelling species found mainly inshore off southern New Zealand and the Chatham Islands to depths of 150m. The main fisheries occur off Southland and the Chatham Islands with smaller but significant fisheries off Otago, Marlborough Sounds and Wanganui. Maximum age (years): 32 Age at sexual maturity: 2-6 years - all blue cod start life as females, with some changing into males when older. Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: Enter commercial fishery at 2-6 years. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 2,680 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 2,162 tonnes in , the lowest in 10 years. Stock trends: Unknown. However, a decline of over 40% in 6 years is indicated in the Marlborough Sounds from pot surveys and recreational fishers have suggested local depletion in parts of BCO3, BCO5 and BCO7. BCO5 productivity appears to be affected by dredging for oysters (Cranfield et al 2001) BCO5 catch rates have declined since 2005 and for BCO3 has declined since BCO4 catch rates have increase and then been stable. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For BCO 1,2,4,and 8 recent commercial catch levels and current TACCs are considered sustainable. For BCO3: Recent commercial catches...combined with current recreational catch are likely to cause the biomass [in the main catch areas] to decline in the short- to medium-term. BCO4: the current catch and TACC are unlikely to cause the stock to decline. BCO5: stock projections and prognosis is unknown. But For *Marlborough Sounds+ (in BCO 7) it is not known if the combined recreational and commercial catches are sustainable or if they are at levels that will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. There are indications that stock abundance is low in the Marlborough Sounds. (MFish 2011, p ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and B) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 26

32 Fishing method(s): Mostly target caught in pots but some are caught on hand lines and some as bycatch by the inshore trawl fleet in BCO3 and BCO7. Apart from area BCO5 there are no limits on the size of mesh used in pots this increases the chance of small fish being caught. Habitat damage: Long-lived, slow growing soft corals, sponges and bryozoans are broken when large heavy baited pots are dropped on them. Trawlers also scrape and damage the seabed and associated species. Bycatch: Shags may drown in pots and small fish may be caught. Ecological effects: The combined effects of a loss of large blue cod, which are easily caught in fisheries, the bycatch caught in trawl fisheries and the serial depletion of blue cod may all be having a degree of adverse impacts on the wider marine ecosystem. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes Management plan: No. Management component: Single species Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment for any areas. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Cranfield H J, G Carbines, K P Michael, A Dunn, D R Stotter, D J Smith (2001) Promising signs of regeneration of blue cod and oyster habitat changed by dredging in Foveaux Strait, southern New Zealand. NZ J of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2001, Vol. 35. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 27

33 Blue mackerel Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Scomber australasicus tawatawa, tewetewe (Maori), pacific mackerel, southern mackerel, maquereau (France), saba (Japan). Albacore and Skipjack tuna Description: Blue mackerel is a relative of tuna and is similarly widely distributed around the Pacific, including New Zealand. It is often found below schools of jack mackerel and kahawai and is caught year round off the North Island and northern South Island, primarily by purse seine fishing.? Ecological concerns: The little known state of fish stocks, the unknown sustainability of catch levels, declining catch rates on the West Coast, limited research and the lack of a management plan. Also of concern is the bycatch of dolphins and other fish species, plus the ecological impact of blue mackerel removal from food webs. Economic value: Exports worth about $10 million in Main markets are Australia, Philippines and Eastern Europe. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Pelagic species, widespread around the North Island and northern South Island. Maximum age (years): 24+ Age at sexual maturity: 2 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: 3 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown but thought to be of a moderate population size. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 11,550 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 11, 816 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. However, large decline in catch rates in EMA7 (West Coast of both Islands) which may indicate a decline in abundance. Catch sampling in also noted relatively low numbers of small fish. MSY Status: Unknown no estimates of biomass are available. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Little is known about the status of blue mackerel stocks and no estimates of current and reference biomass, or yield, are available for any blue mackerel area. It is not known if recent catch levels are sustainable or at levels that will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the MSY. (MFish, 2011, p115). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score C and D) Fishing method(s): Mainly purse-seining but also bottom longline, bottom pair-trawl, beach-seine, bottom trawl, driftnet (in international waters), dip net, Danish seine, hand line, lampara, midwater trawl, lobster pot, ring net, surface longline, set net and troll. Habitat damage: Low for purse-seine caught fish, high for bottom trawl and bottom pair-trawl caught fish Bycatch: Caught in association with other pelagic species including jack mackerel, kahawai, skipjack tuna and trevally. When caught with the jack mackerel fishery, there is a dolphin bycatch problem on the West Coast of the North Island. Ecological effects: This fishery has an impact on a range of pelagic fish species which play an important role in driving smaller baitfish species close to the sea surface where a variety of seabird species are able to feed on them. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 28

34 Reducing these pelagic fish species can in turn reduce the amount of baitfish available at the sea surface for seabirds to feed on. Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: single species Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 29

35 Blue moki Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Latridopsis ciliaris moki, moki trumpeter, isuzumi, isaki (Japan). Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Blue moki is a comparatively long-lived species found in shallow waters. Landings have declined since the mid-1990s when it was introduced to the Quota Management System (QMS). This species spawns between East Cape and Mahia, and is culturally important for East Cape/Cape Runaway Iwi (Maori tribes). It is caught by trawl or set net.? Ecological concerns: The reduction in landings since it was introduced to the QMS, limited research, the lack of a management plan, the uncertainty over stock structure and the unknown status of stocks and population size. Use of set nets and trawlers have impacts on seabed communities and non-target fish species. The fishing methods may also have impacts on marine mammals. Economic value: The main market for blue moki is within New Zealand, with exports of under $100,000 in Best option: Blue moki caught in areas with minimal risk to Hector s dolphins (e.g. east and north coast of the North Island). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Mainly found around the South Island and the entire east coast of the North Island south of Cape Runaway down to depths of 100m. Blue moki spawns near Cape Runaway, East Cape. Maximum age (years): 43+ Age at sexual maturity: 5-6 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 608 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported total landings of 521 tonnes in , below reported annual peak landings in 1970 and 1979 of approximately 960 tonnes. Stock trends: Rebuilding? - Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Low estimates of fishing mortality in 2005/06 and stable catches over the previous 14 years, suggest that fishing mortality has been low for two decades.. and stock size is likely to remain above the limit reference points [20%Bo] under current catches and TACCs, in short to medium term.. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and C) Fishing Method(s): Trawling and set nets. Habitat damage: Impact of bottom trawling on sensitive seafloor species. Bycatch: Range of non-target fish species caught in set nets and trawl nets, plus potential impacts on marine mammals and seabirds, including threatened Hector s dolphins. Ecological effects: Damage to seafloor and associated species due to trawling plus removal of large fish from the system. Management and management unit (score D and A) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 30

36 Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 31

37 Blue shark Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Prionace glauca mango-pounamu, poutini (Maori), blue whaler, blue pointer, peau bleue, requin bleu (France), yoshikirizame (Japan). No alternative Description: Blue sharks, like most shark species, are slow growing and highly vulnerable to overfishing. A highly migratory species, Blue sharks are taken in large numbers in New Zealand s tuna longline fisheries, mainly in the West and East Coast of the North Island from the Bay of Plenty north. Most of the blue sharks retained (around 72%) are caught just for their highly priced fins, with the rest of the carcass dumped at sea. Ecological concerns: Uncertainty about the state of the stocks, the bycatch of other sharks, seabirds and fur seals, limited research and the lack of a quantitative stock assessment or a management plan. Removal of this predatory species may also have considerable negative ecological implications. Whilst there is no management plan for blue sharks, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for blue sharks, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. The practise of shark finning, which is legal in New Zealand, is also enormously wasteful. Economic value: The primary value is in the highly priced fins (and tail), which are exported to East Asian markets. Shark fin export value for all species average $40/kg and New Zealand is in the top 20 countries for selling shark product. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Blue sharks range and are caught in longline fisheries all around New Zealand. Maximum age (years): 22 Age at sexual maturity: 8 for males and 7 to 9 for females. Growth rate: Slow. Reproductive output: Low. Age exploited: 5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1860 tonnes since Recorded catch: Landings of 770 tonnes reported in Stock trends: Uncertain, estimates of reference and current biomass are not available. At a CSIRO scientific meeting in 2007, blue sharks were estimated to have declined by 40% in the Tasman Sea over the last 10 years. MSY Status: Uncertain. Listed on IUCN red list as a near threatened species. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Blue sharks are the most heavily fished of the three large pelagic shark species (blue, mako and probeagle sharks) commonly caught in the tuna longline fishery. Compared to mako and probeagle sharks, however, blue sharks are relatively fecund, fast growing, and widely distributed. The status of the stock is uncertain. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2011, p64-66). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method: Longlining around the North Island. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 32

38 Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: Other sharks, seabirds and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: Removal of large predator species as bycatch in the longline fishery. The practise of shark finning cutting off the high-priced fins of sharks and dumping the rest of the body at sea is contributing to the decline of shark species worldwide. Shark finning is legal in New Zealand. Ministry of Fisheries figures show that from more than 80% of blue sharks caught in New Zealand were taken just for their fins. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes in Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment but WCPFC will attempt an assessment in References: National Tuna Fishery Report 2001 New Zealand, T Murray and L Griggs, NIWA; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries. Ministry of Fisheries (2010) Operational Management Plan for Large Pelagic Species. 27p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 33

39 Blue warehou Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Seriolella brama common warehou, warehou, o kihirasu, media (Japan). Blue cod or Trevally Description: Blue warehou is a coastal species, unlike other warehou (silver and white warehou), common in depths of 20 to 200m in cooler southern waters south of Cook Strait. It is popular in fish and chip shops. The main fishing grounds are Cook Strait and the West Coast of the South Island.? Ecological concerns: Limited research, the unknown size of fish stocks, the lack of a management plan, the habitat damage caused by bottom trawling, non-target fish bycatch and the associated ecological impacts caused by the fishing methods. Economic value: New Zealand market plus exports of $1 million in 2008, mainly to Japan and Australia. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Mainly found in coastal waters around the South Island at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 22 Age at sexual maturity: 4-5 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: 4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown in all areas and poorly estimated for WAR3. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 4,513 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 3384 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Estimates of reference and current biomass are not available. For all Fishstocks, it is not known if recent landings or TACC s are at levels which will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing Method(s): Mainly caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries (e.g. squid), including bottom trawling for hoki. Some are caught in coastal set nets. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling bulldozes the sea floor, destroying soft corals, sponges and long-lived bryozoans. Bycatch: A range of non-target fish species are caught as bycatch in set nets and trawl nets. Ecological effects: Damage to seafloor and associated species due to trawling plus removal of large fish from the system. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment - an uncertain assessment was carried out in WAR3 in Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 34

40 References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 35

41 Bluenose Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Hyperoglyphe antarctica matiri (Maori), bonita, blue bream, deepsea trevalla, blue eye trevella (Australia), stone eye, Griffin s silver fish, minami media (Japan) Blue cod Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: Bluenose is a long-lived, slow growing relative of warehou, found in the temperate waters of the southern Hemisphere. They are caught year round by trawl and longline, mainly around offshore reefs or drop off areas.? Ecological concerns: The damage caused to underwater banks and canyons north of the Cook Strait by trawling, the bycatch of non-target fish species such as sharks and seabirds, limited research, the lack of a management plan and the uncertainty over stock boundaries. Stocks have been reduced to about 15% of the unfished stock size and the likelihood the stock will continue to decline at the current catch limits. Economic value: Exports of about $14 million in 2008 with main markets in United States (about 50%) and Australia. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Occurs around New Zealand, mainly around rocky areas at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 76 Age at sexual maturity: Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: Low-Medium. Age exploited: 15 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 2335 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 2,059 tonnes in Stock trends: Declining throughout the zone. MSY Status: Stock size estimate of 15% to 17%.Bo depending on model assumptions. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Biomass is estimated to have declined continuously since the 1980s and has been below the default target biomass since around Deterministic projections...predicted that stock abundance will decline below the hard limit (10%Bo) within the next 20 years under current catch levels. The time to rebuild to the assumed target (40%Bo) under zero catches ranges from 10 to 13 years, depending on model assumptions. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method(s): Caught by bottom longline in the Bay of Plenty and off Northland, and as a bycatch in the alfonsino midwater trawl fishery off the Wairarapa coast. Habitat damage: Trawling and associated seafloor scraping causes damage to underwater banks, canyons and seamounts north of the Cook Strait. Bycatch: Other non-target fish species in the alfonsino fishery. Longlining and trawling also catch a range of bycatch species including sharks. Seabirds are also caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: The combined impacts of trawling and longlining on the structure of marine communities. Management and management unit (score D and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 36

42 Stock assessment: 2011 first quantitative stock estimates for all areas combined. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Hake, Science Group, MFish; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 37

43 Butterfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Odax pullus marari, matohe, tarao, kooaea, (Maori), greenbone, Bera-rui (Japan). Best choice no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Butterfish is an endemic species of kelpfish found in shallow waters around the New Zealand coast. They are more abundant south of East Cape, especially around Cook Strait, where they are caught year round in set nets. Butterfish start life as female and about 50 percent later develop into males.? Ecological concerns: The unknown status of stocks and population size, unknown sustainability of catch levels, absence of research, the lack of a management plan and the bycatch of non-target fish species. Restrictions on set netting introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching endangered Hector s dolphins. Recent changes allowing inshore set net fishing in the top of the South Island has increased the risk of dolphin capture. Economic value: Butterfish is sold in New Zealand. Best option: Butterfish caught in areas with minimal risk to Hector s dolphins (e.g. east and north coast of the North Island). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Found in shallow waters in rocky coastal areas of New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. It is most common in areas around Cook Strait. Maximum age (years): 19 Age at sexual maturity: 2-4 larger fish are males that started life as females. Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: 2-3 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - there are no estimates of current or reference biomass. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 162 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 97.9 tonnes in , mainly in the Cook Strait and around Stewart Island. Recreational catch is estimated to be of a similar size. Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current and reference biomass are available. It is not known whether recent catch levels will allow the stock to move towards B MSY. Butterfish populations are susceptible to localised depletion. (MFish 2011, p156). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B) Method: Targeted set nets. Habitat damage: Low for set netting. Bycatch: Range of non-target fish caught in set nets. Set nets pose a significant risk to threatened Hector s dolphins. However, restrictions on set netting in areas where the dolphins are found, introduced in May 2008, have significantly reduced this threat. However, the risk of dolphin captures may still exist where butterfish fishing overlaps with dolphin areas outside these closures. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 38

44 Ecological effects: Butterfish are important kelp eating fish, so their depletion could have wider impacts on kelp forest ecosystems. Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative estimates. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 39

45 Cockles Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Austrovenus stutchburyi hinangi, huangi, huuai, huangiangi tuangi (Maori), NZ littleneck clam (USA), clam, venus-shells, coque (Canada). Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: A relatively short-lived but widespread shellfish species, found in soft mud to silty sand habitats in harbours and estuaries. The main commercial harvesting areas are at Whangarei, Nelson/Marlborough and the Otago Peninsula. Ecological concerns: The impacts of mechanical harvesting and digging at Tasman and Golden Bay. Also, the past depletion of stocks in Whangarei harbour, gaps between surveys, the lack of a management plan, the uncertainty over stock size in relation to virgin biomass and B MSY in other areas. The ecological effects of removing or killing this shellfish on wading birds that feed on cockles is also of concern. Economic value: Sold in New Zealand and exported (under $1 million in 2008) to United States and Europe (France). Best option: Cockles collected by hand (e.g. Whangarei and Otago). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Widespread around New Zealand, including Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands, in harbours and estuaries from mean high tide level down to low tide. Maximum age (years): 8+ Age at sexual maturity: 1 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: High to very high. Age exploited: 2-5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Biomass was estimated to be about 35% of unfished biomass in COC1A (Whangarei). In COC3A (Otago) adult cockles are just below 1992 levels in Waitati and Papanui Inlet. In COC7A+B (Top of South Island Golden Bay - Marlborough) two of the three commercially fished areas have declined while the other has increased. Annual catch limit: Total catch limit set at 3,214 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported commercial harvest of approximately 1,214 tonnes in Stock trends: In Whangarei (COC1), large cockles (greater than 35mm) have declined to about 5 percent of 1982 levels. In Whangarei harbour, cockles have declined to below 1980s levels. For Otago areas the biomass is likely to be at or above Bmsy. In Tasman Bay-Golden Bay the Pakawau Beach population has increased (more than 60%) whereas Ferry Point and Riwaka-Tapu Bay cockle size and abundance has declined to 20% and 50% respectively. MSY Status: MSY or equivalent - Depleted for large cockles in Whangarei harbour. Fishery Assessment plenary report states: For Whangarei harbour (COC1) that, The stock status in 2009 was at 35% of Bo and has varied between 19 and 63% of Bo since 1988, following a decline from It is very unlikely that overfishing is occurring. Fishing at present levels is unlikely to cause declines below the soft (20%Bo) or hard limit (10%Bo). For Nelson/Marlborough (COC7A and B): The recruited biomass estimates of cockles from Pakawau beach have shown a general trend of increase, with the lowest value in 1992 and highest value in Ferry point recruited biomass estimates declined from 1996 to Riwaka total biomass estimates decreased from 1991 to Fishing at present levels is very unlikely to cause declines below the soft (20%Bo) or hard limit (10%Bo). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 40

46 For Otago: Biomass at Waitati Inlet has been stable and has never decreased below 85% of Bo. A Papanui Inlet biomass generally decreased to approximately 70% of Bo in 2004 but little commercial catch has come out of this inlet since. It is very unlikely that overfishing is occurring *in Papanui, Waitati or Otago Harbour+. (MFish, 2011, p , , and ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and A) Fishing method(s): Mechanical digging and raking of mudflats in Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, and hand harvesting in Whangarei harbour and Otago Peninsula. Habitat damage: Mechanical digging and raking kills small cockles and impacts other species living within the sediment. Minimal impact from hand harvesting. Bycatch: Impact of mechanical dredging on small shellfish and other sub-surface organisms. Ecological effects: Small cockles are an important part of the diet of some wading bird species. Removing or killing small cockles reduces the amount of food available to wading birds, including South Island and variable oystercatchers, bar-tailed godwits, and Caspian and white-fronted terns. Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since 2002 for four areas. Catch limits: Yes Management plan: No. Management component: Single species Stock assessment: Surveys for stock assessments were carried out most recently in Whangarei 2009, Otago Papanui and Waitati in 2007 and Otago Harbour in 2008, and Pakawau (Golden Bay), Riwaka and Ferry Point in Quantitative assessments for most other areas based on information. Annual surveys are required for CAY assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Hake, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 41

47 Dark ghost shark Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Hydrolagus novaezealandiae Chimaera, pearl, pearl fish, chimére (France), ginbuka, ginzame (Japan). No alternative Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: This slow growing deepwater shark species is only found in New Zealand and is most abundant in waters 150 to 500m deep off the West Coast of the South Island and the Chatham Rise. It is caught almost entirely as bycatch in other target trawl fisheries, notably the hoki fishery, but also the silver warehou, arrow squid and barracouta fisheries, plus by deepwater longlining.? Ecological concerns: The lack of basic biological data, the uncertain long-term sustainability of catch levels, the unknown status of the fishstocks and the impact of trawling on benthic species. As a bycatch species, it has associated seabird and marine mammal bycatch and disrupted ecosystem concerns. Whilst there is no management plan for dark ghost sharks, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for ghost sharks, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. Economic value: Ghost shark exports of around $2 million to Australia and shark fins are exported to Asia in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: A deepwater species found throughout New Zealand waters, but mostly off central and southern New Zealand at depths of m. Maximum age (years): Unknown. Age at sexual maturity: Unknown 52-53cm for males and cm for females. Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: Low. Age exploited: Unknown. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown there are no estimates of current and reference biomass available. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 3012 tonnes since Recorded catch: Estimated landings of 2029 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: *F+or all stocks, it is not known if recent catch levels or current TACCs are sustainable in the long term or whether they will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. (MFish 2009, p289). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Trawling (mixture of mid-water and bottom trawling), caught as bycatch in hoki, silver warehou, arrow squid and barracouta fisheries, plus by deepwater longlining. Habitat damage: Destruction of deepwater habitats by bottom trawling. Bycatch: Wide range of bycatch species (see hoki, silver warehou, arrow squid, barracouta), including seabirds, marine mammals and non-target fish. Ecological effects: Broad ecological impacts as a result of seafloor damage and removal of a wide variety of nontarget fish. (See hoki, silver warehou, arrow squid, barracouta). Management and management unit (score E and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 42

48 Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment - no estimates of current and reference biomass are available for dark ghost shark. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Hake, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 43

49 Eels Scientific name: Anguilla australis (short-finned), A. dieffenbachii (long-finned), A. reinhardtii (Australian long-finned) Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) tuna hao, tuna heke, papakura (Maori: short-finned); kuuwharuwharu, reherehe (Maori: long-finned) short-finned eel, longfinned eel; yellow eel, silver eel, (NZ); anguile australe (France) No alternative Description: Eels are important freshwater predators. There are two main species of New Zealand eel the endemic long-finned and native short-finned eels. They are caught in baited fyke nets or traditional hinaki. Both species are long-lived, spending part of their life-cycle at sea and part in freshwater environments. The long-finned eel is listed as a threatened species by the Department of Conservation (Hitchmough (comp) 2002, Allibone et al 2010). A third species - the Australian longfinned eel - is primarily found in Northland. Ecological concerns: The severely overfished status of the endemic long-finned eel, declining catch rates and the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels, managing two species (short-finned and Australian long-finned) as one species in the South Island, the lack of current or reference biomass estimates and the lack of a management plan. Bycatch of seabirds is also of concern. Economic value: New Zealand and exports of about $6 million in 2008 to markets including Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Italy. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: Eels are found throughout freshwater lakes, rivers and streams plus some estuarine and coastal waters in New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands. Long-finned Short-finned Maximum age (years): (uncertain) Age at sexual maturity (migration): (uncertain) Growth rate: variable unknown Reproductive output: Low Low Size/age exploited: (uncertain) Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 772 since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 560 tonnes in the lowest catch in over 35 years. Long fin eels make up an estimated19% of the catch which is the lowest reported Stock trends: Declining catch rates in all areas for longfin eels and declines in many areas for shortfin eels. Longfinned eel are classified as a threatened species by the Department of Conservation. For longfin eel, there exists an additional risk that the population of migrant eels might drop below a minimum threshold required for successful recruitment. (Allibone et al 2010). MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Longfin This species is more susceptible to overexploitation than shortfins because of their limited geographical distribution (confined to New Zealand and offshore islands) and longevity A key component to ensuring the sustainability of eels is to maintain spawner Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 44

50 escapement, and to that end approximately 30% of available longfin habitat in the North Island and 34% in the South Island is either in reserves or in rarely/non-fished areas. If hydro development and habitat loss are included, and based on biomass estimates from several South Island rivers, it is estimated that the biomass of longfin eels above the minimum weight at migration is less than 20% of historical values. Shortfin: The catch per unit effort (CPUE) indices for the main commercial shortfin fisheries in the South Island generally increased from to By contrast, the North Island [areas] with the largest commercial catches showed less consistent trends. Caution is therefore required in managing shortfin stocks given the nature of their biology and the fact that they are harvested before they can spawn. (MFish 2011, p ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and C) Fishing method: Fyke nets or hinaki. Habitat damage: Impact of fyke net placement only. Bycatch: Seabirds (shags) caught in fyke nets. Ecological effects: The ecological effects of fishing are uncertain but likely to be much less than the impact of land drainage and dams on eel habitat. Cumulatively, overfishing and habitat loss are removing this important predatory species from New Zealand s increasingly degraded freshwater systems. Management and management unit (score C and E) Quota Management Species: Yes - South Island since 2000, Chatham Island since 2003 and North Island since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Short-finned and other (Australian long-finned) eels managed as one component. South Island all species are combined management. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd, Hitchmough (comp) 2002 NZ Threat Classification System Lists, Department of Conservation. Allibone, R, David, B, Hitchmough, R, Jellyman, D, Ling, N, Ravenscroft, P and Waters, J (2010) 'Conservation status of New Zealand freshwater fish, 2009', New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, September Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 45

51 Elephant fish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Callorhinchus milli repe, reperepe, makorepe, (Maori), silver trumpeter, white fillets, elephant shark (Australia), zoginzame, zoginbuku (Japan). No alternative Description: This small shark species, which is only found in New Zealand, has biological characteristics that make it relatively less prone to overfishing than most shark species. It is most common on the east coast of the South Island to depths of 200m, where it is caught mainly as bycatch off the Banks Peninsula in trawl fisheries and as a target species in set nets.? Ecological concerns: The lack of a management plan, the unknown sustainability of some recent catch levels and catch limits and the failure to carry out a full stock assessment. Also of concern is the impact of trawling on the seabed and associated communities plus non-target fish bycatch of set netting. Restrictions on set netting and trawling introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching endangered Hector s dolphins. However, offshore fishing outside the closed areas still poses a significant risk to these dolphins. Whilst there is no management plan for elephant fish, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for elephant fish, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. Economic value: Market in New Zealand and exports of about $1m in 2008 to Australia and North America. New Zealand is amongst the top 20 exporters of shark product. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Occurs around the South Island but most common near Banks Peninsula at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 9-15 Age at sexual maturity: 3-5 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: High to medium. Age exploited: 3+ Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Current catches in ELE 3 and 7 well exceed the MCY estimates. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1,274 tonnes since Recorded catch: Total landings of 1,372 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown but maybe increasing in ELE 3 and 5. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current and reference biomass are available. For ELE 2: It is not known if recent catch levels or the current TACC are sustainable. The state of the stock in relation to B MSY is unknown. For ELE3: A mixed species bottom trawl CPUE series, which is considered to be an index of stock abundance, peaked in , then dropped by about 40% to but has since recovered to near the peak. For ELE5: A mixed target species bottom trawl CPUE series, which is considered to be an index of stock abundance, has shown a steady increasing trend since the early 1990s. Present CPUE is more than double the lowest level observed in the early 1990s. For ELE 3 and 5: Elephantfish have shown good recovery since being at low biomass levels in the mid-1980s. It is possible that discarding and management changes in this fishery have biased CPUE trends reported For ELE 7: Biomass trends from this stock are unreliably estimated by the West Coast South Island survey. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 46

52 For ELE 3, 5 and 7: The state of stock in relation to B MSY target is unknown. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method(s): Trawling and set nets. Most are caught as bycatch in one of the red cod trawl fisheries as well as other trawl fisheries. The proportion caught by set nets has declined. Habitat damage: Removal of benthic species and change in biodiversity from trawling. Bycatch: Hector s dolphins caught in set nets and some trawl fisheries (e.g. the red cod trawl fishery off Canterbury coast, where elephant fish is a bycatch species). Restrictions on set netting and trawling in areas where the dolphins are found were introduced in May These have significantly reduced the threat to marine mammals and other wildlife, however, captures may still exist where fishing overlaps with dolphin areas outside these closures. Elephant fish fisheries also have non-target fish bycatch. Ecological effects: Changes in seafloor communities from bottom trawling and possible impacts of marine food webs. Management and management unit (score C and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 47

53 Flatfish Black flounder, yellow-belly flounder, dab/sand flounder, greenback flounder, brill, turbot, lemon sole and NZ sole. Scientific name: rhomosolea retiaria (black flounder), R. leporine (yellowbelly flounder), R. plebeian (dab/sand flounder), R. tairina (greenback flounder), Colistium guntheri (brill), C. nudipinnis (turbot), Pelotretis flaviatus (lemon sole), Peltorhamphus novaezealandiae (NZ sole). Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Paatikitotara (Maori: yellow-belly flounder), paatiki (Maori: sand flounder, greenback flounder, NZ sole), paatikimohoao (Maori: black flounder), kutuhori, paatiki rore, pakeke (Maori: NZ sole), patikinui (Maori: brill), paatiki nui (Maori: turbot). Trevally or Tarakihi Description: These eight flatfish species grow rapidly and are caught mainly by inshore bottom trawling, with smaller amounts in set nets and smaller beach drag nets. Sand flounder is the most abundant species and is found only in New Zealand. Main fishing areas and species are: Firth of Thames, Kaipara and Manukau Harbours (Yellow-belly flounder); Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty (Sand Flounder); Tasman/Golden Bay (Sand flounder); Canterbury Bight (Sand flounder, Greenback flounder, black flounder and NZ Sole); West Coast South Island (Lemon Sole, NZ Sole, Brill and Turbot); Otago (Lemon Sole and NZ Sole); Southland (Lemon Sole and Greenback flounder).? Ecological concerns: Management of eight species as one fish stock, uncertain stock structures and sustainability of catch limits plus limited research (uncertain age of the fish when caught, lack of basic biological data for some of the species and absence of yield estimates), high grading of fish and discarding small fish, and the lack of a management plan. Bottom trawling causes serious damage to benthic species and communities, whilst set netting is associated with bycatch of endangered Hector s dolphins, other marine mammals, seabirds, sharks and other non-target fish. Flatfish fishing is not covered by current controls and the absence of observers on vessels increase the risk of bycatch. Flatfish trawling is assessed as possibly New Zealand s worst fishery for impacts on seabirds with over 6500 potential fatalities. Economic value: New Zealand market plus exports of $8 million (2008), mainly to Australia, China and Spain. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (8 species) (score B) Distribution: Flatfish are found throughout New Zealand. Maximum age (years): 6-21 depending on species brill and turbot live significantly longer than other species reaching a maximum age of 21 and 16 years respectively. Age at sexual maturity: 2+ depending on species. Growth rate: Rapid. Reproductive output: Ranging from medium to very high. Age exploited: 2+ depending on species. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown for all areas and species but can be highly variable. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 48

54 Annual catch limit: Limit set at 5,409 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 3,273 tonnes in , down from previous peaks of 5,160 tonnes in (of which 16% was NZ sole) and 5,086 tonnes in Flatfish have always been subject to high grading and legal fish of small size may be discarded. Stock trends: Generally unknown for all areas and species. Manukau Harbour and Kaipara has shown a long term decline in catch rates for yellow-belly flounder while Hauraki Gulf has shown the opposite trend. Sand flounder catch rates in Hauraki Gulf has declined to about a quarter of the catch rate peak in the early 1990s. In the East Coast of the South Island catch rates for lemon sole, sand flounder and NZ sole declined from late 1990s to the mid- 2000s and increased in the last few years. Results in all areas and species are affected by the lack of specific species reporting requirements. MSY Status: Unknown for all areas and species. Eight species are managed as one fishery. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. Flatfish populations typically consist of only one or two year classes at any time. The sizes of the populations depend heavily on the strength of the recruiting year classes and are therefore expected to be highly variable. For this reason TACCs were set high to allow fishers to take advantage of times of high abundance. Recent CPUE analyses revealed that although yellow belly flounder are short lived, inter-annual abundance in FLA 1 was surprisingly stable. These results suggest that a more conservative approach is possible. (MFish 2011, p ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method(s): Inshore bottom trawling, set nets and drag nets. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling damages seafloor communities and associated species. Bycatch: A range of non-target fish species including red cod and red gurnard plus possible bycatch of endangered Hector s dolphins, other dolphins, NZ fur seals and seabirds by set nets. Ecological effects: Direct adverse impacts of bottom trawling on seafloor communities and removal of these bottom-dwelling species (especially the removal of large fish) may cause wide disruption to marine ecosystems. Management and management unit (score D and E) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Eight different species managed as one. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments for any species or areas but current catch limits are nearly three times estimated yield (MCY). References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 49

55 Frostfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Lepidopus caudatus tiikati, paara, hikau, para-taharangi (Maori), Cutlassfish No alternative Description: This relatively short-lived species is widely distributed around the world. In New Zealand it is normally found over the outer shelf in waters m deep. It is mainly caught as bycatch (more than 90%) in trawl fisheries for jack mackerel and hoki, and to a lesser extent in the arrow squid, barracouta and gemfish fisheries. Half are caught off the West Coast of the South Island and Taranaki Bight in mid-water trawl fisheries.? Ecological concerns: Lack of research (including the absence of some basic biological information), the unknown sustainability of recent catches and the uncertainty about stock structure plus the lack of a management plan. As a bycatch species of other fisheries, marine mammals, non-target fish and impacts on seabed communities are also serious concerns. Economic value: Exported principally to Korea. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Widely dispersed around New Zealand but mainly caught off the west coasts of both main islands. Maximum age (years): 8 Age at sexual maturity: Unknown. Growth rate: High. Reproductive output: High. Size/age exploited: Unknown. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 4,019 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1389 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. The stock structure is uncertain, the fishery is variable and almost entirely a bycatch of other target fisheries. No age data or estimates of abundance are available. It is therefore not possible to estimate yields. It is not known if recent catches are sustainable or whether they are at levels that will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. (MFish, 2011, p254). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: A mixture of mid-water trawl and bottom trawl fishing. Habitat damage: Damage to seafloor communities when caught by bottom trawl in the hoki, gemfish and other trawl fisheries. Bycatch: Caught as bycatch in the hoki and jack mackerel fisheries, which include fur seal and common dolphin captures. Less than 10% is target fished. Ecological effects: The effect of this fishery, combined with the hoki and jack mackerel fisheries, contribute towards multiple seafloor and water column community impacts. Management and management unit (score E and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 50

56 Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 51

57 Garfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Hyporhamphus ihi hangenge, ihe, wariwari, takeke (Maori), piper, half-beak, NZ garfish (US), demi-bec neozelandias (France), sayori (Japan) Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Garfish are relatively short-lived and, whilst similar species occur around the world, this species is found only in New Zealand. They are common in shallow coastal waters, such as bays and harbours, when they school at the surface.? Ecological concerns: The lack of some basic biological information, information on stock size and yield estimates, the uncertainty of some biological information, limited research, huge uncertainty about stock boundaries and absence of a management plan. Economic value: Export markets include Asia. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Inshore waters around New Zealand. Maximum age (years): 10? Age at sexual maturity: 2-3 Growth rate: Moderate (uncertain) Reproductive output: High. Age exploited: 2-3 (uncertain) Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown Annual catch limit: Limit set at 50 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 12 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown the natural variability of garfish populations is not known but there are suggestions of localised populations that could be susceptible to local depletion. MSY Status: Unknown The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current biomass are available. A fishery has existed for several decades, but it is not known how heavily this has exploited the stock. It is not possible to determine if recent catch levels will allow the stock(s) to move towards a size that would support the maximum sustainable yield. (MFish 2011, p258). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and B) Fishing method(s): Beach seine and lampara net. (Garfish are sometimes also taken as a non-target catch in the pilchard fishery.) Habitat damage: Low due to most fish being caught by beach seine and lampara nets. Bycatch: Relatively low bycatch but small fish can be caught by both methods. Ecological effects: Low, although depletion of garfish may have impacts on associated species by altering food web dynamics. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 52

58 Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 53

59 Gemfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice Rexea solandri maha-taharaki, maka-tikati, tiikati (Maori), silver kingfish, southern kingfish, silver gemfish (US), kagokamasu, ginsawara, shirosawara (Japan). Kingfish Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: This relatively long-lived slender fish is found within a wide depth range of between 50 and 550m, but is sometimes found as deep as 800m. They are usually caught in inshore to middle-depth waters by trawling. Ecological concerns: A significant level of habitat and therefore ecological damage is caused by bottom trawling and a range of fish are caught as bycatch. New Zealand fur seal and sea bird bycatch is also associated with fisheries in which gemfish is caught as bycatch. Annual catches and catch rates have declined dramatically since peaking at over 8,000 tonnes in due to over-fishing combined with low recruitment, poor state of the stocks (about 22% of the original, unfished stock size) and annual landings being in the hundreds of tonnes during the last two years. There is also no management plan for this species. Economic value: Exports of $2 million in 2008 mainly to Japan. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Gemfish is found throughout New Zealand coastal waters but is more common in the south at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 17 Age at sexual maturity: 3-6 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: 3-5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: For Northern stock the biomass (2007) was estimated at around 22% of the unfished biomass which is well below B MAY (34%) or the target of 40%Bo. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1060 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings were 587 tonnes in , the lowest catch in over 30 years. Stock trends: Biomass for both stocks declined since the early 1990s, however some recovery may have occurred since then. Low recruitment since the early 1990s combined with fishing has resulted in depleted populations that could decline further if low recruitment continues. MSY Status: Populations depleted well below Fisheries Act requirement (MSY) or the target and there is no rebuilding plan in place. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: The assessment of the southern gemfish stock has not been updated since Landings from SKI 7 increased from 2000 to be a level over twice the TACC in , but have decreased since then. Northern [gemfish]: For all three models, with catches at the current TACC levels the stock is projected to increase if recruitment returns to the [long term] 1978 to 2000 average level, but decline slightly if recent ( ) recruitment continues.. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Target trawling off the east and north coasts of the North Island. Catches off the west and southern coasts of the South Island are now primarily bycatch of hoki and squid fisheries. Habitat damage: After scampi, gemfish trawling had the highest impact of target fisheries in the Bay of Plenty (Cryer et al 2002). Bottom trawling within hoki and squid fisheries results in significant damage to seafloor communities and associated species. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 54

60 Bycatch: A range of fish and invertebrate species are caught in the targeted fishery. When caught in the hoki and arrow squid fisheries, seabird, fur seal and deepwater shark bycatch problems are also prevalent. Ecological effects: Bottom trawling disturbs the seabed and changes the abundance and community structure of many bottom dwelling fish species and benthic species (Cryer et al, 2002). Management and management unit (score C and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment for QMA1 and 2 in 2008, and QMA3 and 7 in References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Cryer M, Hartill B and O Shea S (2002). Modification of marine benthos by trawling: toward a generalization for the deep ocean? Ecological Applications 12(6), 2002 pp Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 55

61 Grey mullet Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Mugil cephalus hopu, hohopu, kanae, kopuwai (Maori), mullet, striped mullet, sea mullet (Australia), mule, muge cabot (France), bora (Japan). Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Grey mullet is a surface dwelling, coastal species that is widespread throughout tropical and sub-tropical seas. In New Zealand it is most commonly found in northern bays, harbours, mangrove swamps and estuaries. They are caught year round in set nets and beach seines, but mainly from November to March when they gather to spawn offshore.? Ecological concerns: That the current commercial catch limit in the main fishery is 100 tonnes above the maximum current yield estimate, that landings have fluctuated during the last four years raising doubts about the status of this stock, the lack of yield or biomass estimates for nearly all areas, the lack of a management plan and the apparent disparity between quota areas and likely stock boundaries. Set net fisheries can have considerable non-target fish bycatch. In the past this fishery has posed a serious threat to critically endangered Maui s dolphins. Restrictions on set netting introduced in May 2008 have reduced this risk. Economic value: Main market is in New Zealand, with some exports to Asia of less than $100,000 in Best option: Mullet caught by beach seining. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: A surface dwelling species mostly found in sheltered bays and harbours off northern New Zealand. Maximum age (years): 15+ Age at sexual maturity: 3 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Age exploited: 4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1,005 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 746 tonnes in the lowest catch for over 10 years. Stock trends: Reports of serial depletion and declines in catch rates in some areas since MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: GMU 1 is currently assessed using CPUE data and these analyses suggest that the GMU 1 fishery is composed of a number of spatially distinct substocks and tagging data suggest low to moderate mixing between them. CPUE analyses using data up to have found that the CPUE in the Kaipara Harbour, Manukau Harbour, and east Northland (which collectively account for over 80% of the GMU 1 catch) have increased since Therefore catches in these areas appear to be sustainable in the shortterm. The status of GMU1 relative to B MSY is unknown. (MFish, 2011, p309). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B) Fishing method(s): Set nets and beach seining. Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: A range of species are caught by set nets, including marine mammals and non-target fish species. Range of non-target fish caught in set nets. Set nets pose a significant risk to critically endangered Maui s dolphins. However, Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 56

62 restrictions on set netting in areas where the dolphins are found, introduced in May 2008, have significantly reduced this threat. Ecological effects: Possible ecosystem impacts of removing larger fish from the population. Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Inconclusive quantitative stock assessment for West GMU1 in There is no assessment for other areas. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 57

63 Groper / Hapuku & Bass Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Polyprion oxygeneios (groper) and Polyprion americanus (Bass) hakuraa, kapua, kauaeroa, kawerai, kuparu, moeone, whaapuku, toti (Maori), sea bass, wrackbarsch (Germany), wreckfish (USA), hata, ara (Japan). Kingfish or Trevally or Tarakihi Description: These two long-lived, slow growing species of sea bass are found around New Zealand, though Bass is also found in many temperate oceans around the world. Bass is more common in the north and ranges into deeper water (up to 800m) than grouper (up to 400m). They are mainly caught in deep underwater canyons off the East Coast of the North Island, Cook Strait, Kaikoura and the West Coast of the South Island. Once commonly caught inshore and an important coastal predator, groper have now almost disappeared from diving depths.? Ecological concerns: The management of two species as one quota species, the uncertainty and conflict over stock boundaries, limited research (including a lack of information on sustainable yields and uncertainty over basic biological information for bass). Other concerns include the lack of a management plan, the decline in reported landings in recent years and the unknown sustainability of the current catch limit. Bycatch of other fish species is also of concern as is the loss of these ecologically important species, particularly hapuku, which is a prey species for sperm whales. Economic value: Export value of about $4million in 2008 mainly to Australia, Japan and United States. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Found around New Zealand including the Chatham Rise, but most common in deep underwater canyons over or near rocky areas down to 250m. Groper/Hapuku Bass Maximum age (years): Age at sexual maturity: ? Growth rate: Slow Slow Reproductive output: Low Low Age exploited: 5 5? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown but large hapuku have almost disappeared from diving depths. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 2,181 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1633 tonnes in Stock trends: Reported landings have declined from a peak of 2,698 tonnes in to around 1600 tonnes in recent years. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current biomass are available. It is not known if current catches or the TACCs are sustainable or at levels that will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. (MFish 2011, p317). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B) Fishing method(s): Mainly longline and hand line, but also caught using trawl and set net. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 58

64 Habitat damage: Low for line caught fish but trawling catches and damages bottom dwelling species and associated communities. Bycatch: A range of bycatch fish species including tarakihi and blue cod. Deepwater sharks are also occasionally caught (e.g. seal shark). Ecological effects: Serial depletion of these species can occur, with line fishing removing large individuals. Hapuku or groper is a known prey species for sperm whale, so depletion may reduce the whale s food availability. The effects of trawling include reducing the diversity of fragile invertebrate species including cold water corals, sponges and bryozoans. Management and management unit (score E and E) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Two species managed as one. Stock assessment: No quantitative assessments or yields. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 59

65 Hake Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Merluccius australis kehe, tiikati (Maori), whiting, merluza (Spain), merlu (France), heiku (Japan), seehecht (Germany). Trevally or Tarakihi Description: Hake is a relative of the hoki, found only in New Zealand. It is targeted on the Chatham Rise and in the sub-antarctic s, but is usually caught as bycatch by mid-water hoki trawling. Most hake is caught off the West Coast of the South Island with some taken from the south of the South Island and around the Chatham Islands. The hake trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under an international body - the Marine Stewardship Council. Ecological concerns: Seabirds and marine mammals are commonly caught as bycatch in the associated hoki fishery (NZ fur seals, albatrosses and petrels). Other concerns include inconsistencies between quota boundaries and stock boundaries, the uncertainty of stock size and trends for West Coast and Sub-Antarctic populations, the lack of a management plan, illegal mis-reporting of catches and the rapid decline in Chatham Rise hake. Economic value: The main export markets are Japan, Spain, Australia and Portugal, which were worth $27 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Found in waters around the South Island at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 25+ Age at sexual maturity: 6-10 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: In 2009 about 47% of unfished population size (B 0 ) on Chatham Rise and in %Bo for Sub- Antarctic and uncertainty in the West Coast of the South Island. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 13,211 tonnes since Recorded catch: Recorded landings of 4715 tonnes in , which is the lowest level in 25 years. Stock trends: Recovering on Chatham Rise, slow decline in Sub-Antarctic and unknown on West Coast. MSY Status: Recovering on the Chatham Rise, slow decline in the sub-antarctics and probably declining on West Coast of the South Island. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For the Chatham Rise: B 2009 was estimated to be about 47% B 0; Likely (> 60%) to be at or above target (40%Bo). The biomass of the Chatham Rise stock is expected to decrease slightly over the next 5 years at catch levels equivalent to those from recent years (i.e., about 1150 t annually), but is projected to decline markedly if future catches are close to the high catch scenario (i.e. annual catch levels equivalent to the HAK 4 TACC of 1800 t plus the average HAK 1 Chatham Rise catch from to of 1000 t per year). West coast South Island: There are no reliable indices of abundance. Although CPUE series are available they are believed to be driven by fisher behaviour rather than hake abundance, so are considered unreliable. For the sub-antarctic stock: Median estimates of biomass are unlikely to have been below 64% B 0. Biomass is estimated to have been decreasing since the late 1980s. Recent recruitment ( ) is estimated to be lower than the long-term average for this stock. The biomass...was expected to decrease at a catch level equivalent to the mean from 1990 to 2006 (i.e., 2400 t annually). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 60

66 (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing method(s): Bottom and mid-water trawling. Hake are targeted around the Chatham Rise and Sub-Antarctic Islands and caught as bycatch in the hoki fishery elsewhere, particularly the West Coast of the South Island. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling reduces species diversity and transforms community structure and composition. Bycatch: As a bycatch in the West Coast hoki fishery, the hake fishery is associated with killing hundreds of NZ fur seals and hundreds of albatrosses and petrels each year. The seabirds killed include nine species of which several are globally threatened, including black-browed albatross, Buller's albatross and white-chinned petrel. Ecological effects: There is a loss of bottom-dwelling invertebrate diversity due to bottom trawl fishing. Also, the dumping of offal and other fish waste during fish processing at sea is likely to have a broad range of ecological impacts on marine species and food webs (e.g. it attracts seabirds, some of which are subsequently killed of trawl lines/warps). Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. The hake trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (and international body that assesses and awards sustainable fisheries certifications). Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment for Chatham Rise in 2009, West Coast stocks in 2010, and for sub- Antarctic stocks in References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; SeaFIC website Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 61

67 Hoki Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Macruronus novaezelandiae whiptail, blue hake, blue grenadier (NZ), langschwanz-seehecht (Germany), merluse (France), merluza azul (Spain), nasello azzurro (Italy), hoki de nouvelle-zelande. Trevally or Tarakihi Description: Hoki is a relatively fast growing, deepwater species related to cod and hake. It generally lives beyond the shelf edge from 50 to 900m, but is most abundant between 300 and 600m. There are two intermixing biological stocks, generally referred to as the eastern and western stocks. Trawling occurs year round making hoki one of New Zealand s largest fisheries. Hoki are targeted and caught in their spawning grounds on the West Coast of the South Island and the Cook Strait, plus some smaller spawning areas on the east coast of the South Island and Pusegar Banks. When not spawning, hoki are caught in the sub-antarctics and on the Chatham Rise where juveniles of both stocks are found. Despite being certified as sustainable under the international Marine Stewardship Council scheme, it still has significant ecological impacts. Ecological concerns: The bycatch of hundreds of NZ fur seals, albatrosses and petrels each year, plus bycatch of globally threatened basking sharks. When bottom trawling, the fishery has significant impacts on the seafloor, altering seabed communities. Also of concern is the management of two stocks as one quota management area, the slow response to past stock declines so that large quota cuts were needed and the failure to take precautionary action in the face of potential stock recovery. (Quotas this year are being increased back to 130,000 tonnes - just over the level set following initial cuts in This increase is based on estimated that the west coast hoki stock are just within target levels for the first time in many years. Additional concerns include illegal mis-reporting of catches, the significant catches of small fish (over 40%) on the Chatham Rise and on the West Coast, plus the lack of a management plan. Economic value: Most hoki is exported to the USA, Europe - including the UK and Belgium Japan and Australia. Hoki exports were worth $188 million in ,which was still well down from $346 million in The Fillet o Fish sold at McDonalds in New Zealand is hoki. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: The main areas where hoki are caught are off the West Coast of the South Island, the Cook Strait, Chatham Rise to the east of the South Island and Sub-Antarctic waters at depths of m. Maximum age (years): Age at sexual maturity: 3-5 years. Growth rate: Relatively fast. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score B) Population size: Following many years of poor recruitment of juvenile fish to the adult population and depletion of stocks, particularly on the West Coast, hoki have recently been estimated to be within 35-50% of their original unfished population size (B 0 ). Annual catch limit: From 250,000 tonnes in , catch limits were dramatically reduced to 100,000 tonnes in and to 90,000 tonnes in The catch limit has since been increased to 130,000 tonnes for 1 October The hoki fishery has recently identified an Interim Management Target of 35 50% B 0. Recorded catch: Estimated catch of 105,000 tonnes in Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 62

68 Stock trends: Rebuilding. The stocks have been depleted, particularly the Western stock, which was reduced to 17% Bo, and are now dominated by smaller fish and younger ages classes. In 2008 around 50% of the catch on the Chatham Rise was made up of juvenile fish smaller than 65 cm. The Chatham Rise made up about 36% of the total hoki catch in Overall in the hoki fishery around 40% of the fish caught were less than 65cm. MSY Status: 2009 is the first year of suspected recovery to a level at or above MSY. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Western Stock: B 2011 was estimated to be 41% B 0 ; Very likely to be above the lower end of the Management Target. Biomass is estimated to have more than doubled from a historical low of 17% B 0 that occurred in Eastern stock: B 2011 was estimated to be 53% B 0 ; virtually certain to be above the lower end of the Management Target. The biomass of the eastern hoki stock is expected to stay steady over the next 5 years at assumed eastern fishery catch levels. For both stocks: The impact of the current young age structure of the population on spawning success is unknown. (MFish 2009, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing method(s): Bottom trawling targets non-spawning aggregations (Chatham Rise and Sub-Antarctic Plateau) and mid-water trawling targets spawning aggregations on West Coast and Cook Strait. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling bulldozes the sea floor, destroying soft corals, sponges and long-lived bryozoans. The expanding use of twin rigs and double linked nets (and some triple linked nets) with a large heavy roller in between has increased the impact of this fishery on fragile deepwater habitats. Bycatch: Hundreds of NZ fur seals, albatrosses and petrels are drowned in the hoki fishery each year. The affected albatrosses and petrels include several globally threatened species such as black-browed and Buller's albatross and white-chinned petrel. Non-target fish species bycatch is also a problem and includes quota species hake, ling and silver warehou, which are caught in West Coast hoki fisheries. Other bycatch species include vulnerable deepwater sharks (e.g. shovelnose dogfish, seal shark and Baxter s dogfish). Globally threatened basking sharks are also caught. There is also incidental mortality of young hoki passing through the net meshes. Ecological effects: The combined effects of seafloor damage and alteration, high non-target fish bycatch, protected and threatened species bycatch and practices such as the dumping of offal and other fish waste during processing at sea has considerable ecological implications. Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management and operational plan completed but lacking in key environmental standards. Management component: Single species, however two stocks managed as one quota area. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment for East and West stocks in References: European marketing and the MSC, SEAFOOD magazine, May 2004, Vol 12 no. 4, p8; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; MFish Starfish web pages 2004; SeaFIC website Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 63

69 Jack mackerel Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Trachurus declivis (Jack Mackerel), T. novaezelandiae (New Zealand Jack Mackerel), T. symmetricus murphyi (Peruvian Jack Mackerel). haature, hauture (Maori), horse mackerel, horse jack mackerel, slender jack mackerel, chinchard neozelandias (Canada), Chilean jack mackerel, saurel (France), maaji (Japan). Kahawai E (Red - Avoid) Description: These three species of jack mackerels are managed as one species and are mainly caught in the purse-seine target/bycatch fishery in the Bay of Plenty and off Northland s east coast. Trawl fisheries catch jack mackerel in other areas including the Taranaki Bight and Chatham Rise. Peruvian jack mackerel are a southern ranging species found in deepwater, whereas jack mackerel and NZ jack mackerel are northern species, forming schools in midwater and ranging from shallow bays and harbours to oceanic islands and reefs.? Ecological concerns: The management of three species as one fishery, limited research, the lack of some basic biological data for Peruvian jack mackerel, the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels especially for western New Zealand (JMA7). Of significant concern is the bycatch of dolphins in the fishery west of the North Island and fur seals in fishery east and south of the South Island (JMA 3). Non-target fish bycatch, seabird bycatch, bottom trawl impacts on the seabed and ecological implications of jack mackerel removal from the food web. Other concerns include the lack of a management plan. Economic value: Export value of $46 million in which was similar to 2008 with main markets in Japan, Eastern Europe and Fiji. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Jack mackerel and NZ jack mackerel are northern species above 45 0 S and 42 0 S respectively while Peruvian jack mackerel is a more southerly species from around the Stewart-Snares Shelf and the Chatham Rise. The two northern species are found < m respectively while Peruvian jack mackerel is found to a depth of >500m. Jack mackerel NZ mackerel Peruvian mackerel Maximum age (years): ? Age at sexual maturity: ? Growth rate: Moderate Moderate Moderate Reproductive output: Medium-high Medium-high Medium? Age exploited: 2-3 Uncertain 2? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Unknown. (Biomass estimates for JMA7 are uncertain.) Annual catch limit: Limit set at 60,547 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 42,944 tonnes in Stock trends: Decline in T. declivis in JMA7. Landings have consistently been lower than the total allowable commercial catch since the mid-1990s. MSY Status: Unknown. Only a preliminary assessment for jack mackerel (T. declivis) in JMA7 in The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For JMA 1 and 3: It is not known whether catches at the level of the current TACCs or recent catch levels are sustainable in the long-term. The status of JMA3 relative to B MSY [the biomass that would support the maximum sustainable yield] is unknown.. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 64

70 For JMA7 Estimates of total mortality for T. declivis (JMD) and T. novaezelandiae (JMN) from catch curve analyses in 2011 suggest that fishing mortality was well below natural mortality (M) for JMD and about M for JMN. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing method(s): Bottom and mid-water trawling and purse seining. Habitat damage: Low for purse seining; bottom trawling in effect bulldozes the seabed and can kill or damage bottom dwelling species and alter seafloor communities. Bycatch: Trawl fishing around Taranaki, off Waikato and Auckland catches common dolphins, dusky dolphins and pilot whales. The fishing area may also overlap with the range of Maui s dolphins, posing a possible risk to this critically endangered species. Trawling on the Snares shelf catches fur seals. Blue mackerel is also a bycatch species in this fishery. Ecological effects: Ecological implications associated with bottom trawling plus, as an important predator and prey species, reducing jack mackerel numbers can in turn have impacts on associated food webs. Management and management unit (score D and E) Quota Management Species: Yes, but only in all areas since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but lacking operational plan and key environmental standards.. Management component: All three species managed together as one. Stock assessment: A preliminary assessment JMA7 in No new quantitative assessment for T. novaezelandiae since 1993 in JMA7. No yield estimates in JMA 1 or 3 or for T. murphyi in any stock. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Information describing Chilean jack mackerel (Trchurus murphyi) fisheries relating to the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation. Doc SPRFMO-III-SWG-16; Francis, M. (2001) Coastal fishes of New Zealand: An identification Guide. 3 rd Edition. Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 65

71 John dory Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Zeus faber kuparu, pukeru (Maori), saintpierre, zée (France), pez de san pedro (Spain), buckler dory (Canada), matôdai (Japan), European john dory (US). Best choice, no alternative Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns) Description: John Dory are mid-water to seafloor dwelling and whilst found throughout New Zealand they are most common north of the Cook Strait. They are caught in mixed species trawl catches where the main target species are snapper and tarakihi, with some also caught by Danish seine.? Ecological concerns: The damage done by bottom-trawling, the unknown long-term sustainability of the catch limits, the unknown status of stocks, population size and stock trends (uncertainty around possible declines off the West Coast South Island) and the uncertainty about stock boundaries in relation to quota boundaries. Limited research and the lack of a management plan are also of concern. Economic value: New Zealand market plus exports to Australia, United States and Germany with a value of about $5 million in Best option: John dory caught by Danish seine rather than by trawl. Avoid fish caught using bottom trawl gear. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Relatively common in coastal waters off northern New Zealand, especially from the Bay of Plenty northwards. Maximum age (years): 12 Age at sexual maturity: 2-3 Growth rate: Relatively rapid. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Age exploited: 2-3 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown but likely to be relatively small, but abundance varies with recruitment year class strength. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1,129 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 620 tonnes in the lowest catch in over 20 years. Stock trends: Unknown, maybe declining off the West Coast of the South Island (JDO7). MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For JDO 1 recent catch levels and the current TACC are likely to be sustainable at least in the short-term. It is not known if recent catch levels and the current TACC are sustainable in the long-term. For all other JDO stocks it is not known if the recent catch levels and current TACCs are sustainable. For all fish stocks it is unknown if recent catches or the current TACCs are at levels that will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the MSY *maximum sustainable yield+. Northern North Island (JDO1): The declining catch in JDO1 is being driven by declines in JDO1E (East Northland and Hauraki Gulf) Declining CPUE trends are seen in JDO 1E (25% below the mean) and BoP (30% below the start). If the CPUE trends in sub-stocks continue to differ, it may be inappropriate to manage JDO 1 as a single stock. West Coast South Island (JDO7) The commercial catch trends have largely mirrored those of the trawl survey biomass estimates, declining through the 1990s then increasing to a high in It is unlikely that overfishing is occurring. The 2009 size data as well as the biomass trends suggest that the stock biomass is likely to increase at recent catch levels. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 66

72 Fishing method(s): John dory is caught as bycatch in trawl and Danish seine fisheries (e.g. snapper and Tarakihi). Habitat damage: Bottom trawling bulldozes the seabed and kills or damages bottom dwelling species. Bycatch: Fish bycatch associated with its capture in the snapper fisheries in the Hauraki Gulf. Ecological effects: Trawling reduces species diversity and abundance plus catches large individuals. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species but three may exist in one quota area. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments completed for any area. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 67

73 Kahawai Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Arripis trutta and Arripis xylabion koopuuhuri, kooukauka (Maori), Australian salmon (Australia), Saumon Australien (France), bangeo (Korea), oki susuki (Japan). Best choice, no alternative Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Kahawai are found throughout New Zealand, but are most common north of Kaikoura. They form schools of similar-sized fish, with juveniles found in shallow coastal waters and adults in open water, often in large schools from seafloor to surface waters. Most kahawai are caught in purse seine fisheries that also target skipjack tuna, jack mackerel and blue mackerel. A lesser proportion is caught seasonally in set net and mixed species trawl fisheries. Kahawai is a particularly important species for recreational and customary fisheries.? Ecological concerns: The uncertain maximum sustainable yield, unknown status of stocks, stock structure and stock trends, the bycatch of non-target fish and the lack of a management plan. Limited past research and the ecological effects of removing this important prey species is also of concern. Economic value: Exports of $1.5m mainly to Australia (in 2008). Best option: Fish caught using purse seine avoid Kahawai caught using set net or trawl. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Found in inshore waters around New Zealand but most common from Kaikoura northwards. Maximum age (years): 26 Age at sexual maturity: 3-5 Growth rate: Moderate to high. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Age exploited: 3-4. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: The KAH1 assessment shows that the stock has declined to a mid-range of 27-62% B 0 (the estimated unfished population size) depending on assumptions, including level of non-commercial catch. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 2,728 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1995 tonnes in , the lowest catch in over 20 years. Stock trends: For low estimates of natural mortality (M = 0.12) spawning biomass has declines continuously from For other estimates of M (greater than 0.12) spawning biomass is estimated to have declined gradually from 1975 to 1990, to have increased somewhat from 1991 to 1995 and to have remained relatively stable until the end of the assessment period in MSY Status: While the assessment is uncertain the stock is likely to be above B MSY between 27% and 69% B 0. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For KAH1: Current assumed removals are lower than almost all estimates of deterministic MSY. Combining this with the result that most estimates of current biomass are well above B MSY it is unlikely that the stock will decline below B MSY at current assumed catch levels. For all other KAH areas: No accepted assessment is available that covers these regions. It is not known if the current catches, allowances or TACCs are sustainable. The status of KAH 2, 3 and 8 relative to B MSY is unknown. (MFish 2011, p ). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 68

74 Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and B) Fishing method(s): Most are caught by purse seiners, with less taken seasonally in set-net and some in trawl fisheries. Habitat damage: Low impact from purse seiners and set netting; high impact from trawl fisheries on bottom dwelling species. Bycatch: Range of other pelagic species including skipjack tuna, kingfish, blue mackerel and jack mackerel. Ecological effects: Loss of large older fish, impact of bottom trawling bulldozing the seabed and ecological implications of set netting, which can kill unwanted fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, from 1 October Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Two species managed as one. Stock assessment: A new quantitative assessment in 2007 for KAH1. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, Revised Edition 1990.; Francis, M. (2001) Coastal fishes of New Zealand: An identification Guide. 3 rd Edition. Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 69

75 Kina Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Evechinus chloroticus kina ariki, kin koorako, puurau (Maori), sea urchin, sea egg, Oursin de Nouvelle-Zelande (France) Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Kina are an important grazing species found throughout New Zealand. Most are harvested by breath-hold diving, with a smaller proportion being caught by targeted dredging.? Ecological concerns: The unknown sustainability of current catch levels or limits, the risk a serial depletion of stocks and impacts on reef communities from changes in grazing levels, the lack of stock assessments, limited research and the lack of a management plan. When dredged, considerable habitat damage can occur. Economic value: Kina are sold in New Zealand. Best option: Kina collected by hand (breath-hold diving). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Throughout New Zealand and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Maximum age (years): 20+ Age at sexual maturity: 4-5 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 8-9 (uncertain) Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1147 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported catch of tonnes for all fishstocks in Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For all Fishstocks it is not known if current catch levels or TACCs are sustainable, or if they are at levels which will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support sustainable yields. (MFish 2011 p442). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and A) Fishing method(s): Most kina are harvested by breath-hold diving with a smaller proportion being caught by target dredging. Habitat damage: Minimal damage from diving; dredging scrapes the seafloor killing or damaging bottom dwelling species. Bycatch: None from diving; dredging has a high bycatch including a range of bottom dwelling species. Ecological effects: Changes in kina numbers have effects on algal community assemblages. Impacts will depend on scale and intensity of harvesting. Dredging for kina has considerable ecological implications as it destroys seafloor communities, which affects associated mid-water species. Management and management unit (score E and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since 2002 (South Island) and 2003 (North Island). Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 70

76 Stock assessment: No stock assessments. Biomass estimates have been made for Arapawa Island (1997) and Dusky Sound and Chalky Inlet (1995). References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 71

77 Kingfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Seriola lalandi haku, kahu, makumaku, warehenga (Maori), yellowtail kingfish, northern kingfish Best choice, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: This relatively large fish is an important predatory fish rarely found south of Cook Strait, preferring the warmer waters of the north. It can form schools of up to several hundred but is mainly caught as a non-target catch of inshore set net, trawl and longline fisheries. Kingfish is a commonly sought after recreational fish.? Ecological concerns: The loss of large individual fish, the unknown sustainability of the combined commercial and recreational catch limits, uncertainty about the stock structure, the absence of biomass and yield estimates, the absence of a quantitative stock assessment, limited research and the lack of a management plan. Some fishing methods cause damage to the seabed and have high fish bycatch. Economic value: About 25% of kingfish is exported (under $0.5m) to the USA and Australia with the rest going to the domestic New Zealand market. Best option: Line caught kingfish. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Common in coastal waters around the North Island. Maximum age (years): 16+ Age at sexual maturity: 4-7 (uncertain) Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 2-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown, but stock relatively small. Annual catch limit: The maximum current yield (MCY) was set at 200 tonnes in , the second lowest catch in over 20 years. Recorded catch: Reported landings of 172 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown, but there is concern from recreational fishers about current catch rates. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. Although commercial catches are near or below MCY levels [260 tonnes], it is not known if recent combined commercial and recreational catch levels are sustainable. (MFish 2011, p453). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B) Fishing method(s): Mainly taken as a non-target catch of inshore set net and longline fisheries with some trawl bycatch. Habitat damage: Minimal damage from lines or set nets. Trawling causes damage to seafloor habitats contacting the seabed. Bycatch: Range of species caught as bycatch in set net and trawl fisheries, which are often highly unselective techniques. Ecological effects: Removal of large fish may alter food web dynamics, whilst bottom contact trawling bulldozes the seabed, reducing biodiversity of bottom dwelling communities. Management and management unit (score D and C) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 72

78 Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative assessment for any area. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Francis, M. (2001) Coastal fishes of New Zealand: An identification Guide. 3 rd Edition. Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 73

79 Leatherjacket / Creamfish Scientific name: Parika scaber Other names: kokiri, kiririi (Maori), trigger fish. Alternative choice: Gurnard Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: Leatherjacket or creamfish is a relatively small coastal species found throughout New Zealand, but largely caught off the South Island. Most of the catch is taken as bycatch in a range of trawl fisheries mainly targeting trevally, red gurnard and snapper but in recent years it has also been caught in some fisheries targeting squid.? Ecological concerns: Uncertainty about the state of the stocks, the lack of a stock assessment, limited research and no management plan. Bycatch of sharks and seabirds in associated fisheries is also of concern, as are impacts on seafloor habitats when caught with bottom trawl gear. Economic value: The main market is domestic and Australia with exports of $660,000 in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Leatherjacket is distributed throughout New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. It is caught on the East Coast between Otago and East Cape in Southland and between Cape Farewell and Cape Foulwind on the West Coast. Maximum age (years): 7+? Age at sexual maturity: 2 Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 2+? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Uncertain. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1431 tonnes since 2003 Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 754 tonnes in , well below the 1300 tonnes reported caught in fishing year. Stock trends: Uncertain. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: There are no estimates of reference or current biomass. It is not known whether the leatherjacket stocks are at, above or below a level that can produce MSY. (MFish, 2009, p450). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B) Method: Bycatch in a range of trawl fisheries including those targeting trevally, red gurnard, snapper and squid. Habitat damage: Trawl fishing with bottom gear scrapes the seabed, reducing species diversity and altering habitat composition. Bycatch: As a bycatch species itself, this fishery is associated with the bycatch problems of other fisheries, including sharks and seabirds. Ecological effects: Damage to seafloor habitats and removal of this coastal species has knock on impacts on associated species and food webs. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes in Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management composition: Single species. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 74

80 Stock assessment: No completed quantitative stock assessment. References: Final Advice Paper ; Setting of Sustainability and Other Management Controls for Stocks to be Introduced into the QMS on 1 October July 2003 Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod Science Group,Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 75

81 Ling Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: Genypterus blacodes hoka, hokarari, rari (Maori), ashiro, kingu (Japan), kingklip (South Africa). Kingfish E (Red - Avoid)? Description: Ling is a bottom dwelling species of the eel family, which lives at depths of m throughout New Zealand. It is often caught as bycatch in hoki and hake trawl fisheries, though it is also targeted with bottom longline and bottom trawl methods. The ling trawl and longline fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under an international body - the Marine Stewardship Council. Ecological concerns: Damage to fragile deepwater species and habitats caused by bottom trawling and the high level of globally threatened seabird species and NZ fur seals caught as bycatch. Also of concern is the unknown long-term sustainability of some current catch limits and landings, the uncertainty of stock boundaries, the lack of a management plan for the fishery and the loss of ling from diving depths. Economic value: The main export markets are in Asia, particularly Hong Kong and Japan plus Australia and Spain. Exports were worth $42 million in which was similar to ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Ling is widespread in water off the south of the North Island and off the South Island, but is mainly caught south of the South Island and over the Campbell Rise at m. Maximum age (years): 30 Age at sexual maturity: 5-9 Growth rate: Variable. Reproductive output: Medium to low. Age exploited: 5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Unknown for LIN 1 and LIN2 (most of the North Island) and uncertain for LIN 7 (West Coast South Island). Other areas (LIN 3, 4, 5 and 6) are likely at or above management target (40%Bo). Annual catch limit: Limit set at 22,226 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 12,591 tonnes in , the lowest catch in 20 years. Stock trends: Unknown for LIN 1 and LIN2 (non-cook Strait), declining for LIN2 (Cook Strait); increasing for LIN 7 (West Coast), stable for LIN 5 and 6, and increasing for LIN 3 and 4. MSY Status: Unknown for LIN 1 and 2, described as "sustainable" for LIN 3 and 4 and LIN 5, 6 and 7. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For LIN1: In the absence of a representative and useful index of abundance, it is not known whether current LIN 1 catches or the TACC can be maintained without reducing the stock size. Current stock status is unknown. For LIN 2 (Cook Strait 40% of catch): Biomass is estimated to have been declining since Stock status is predicted to improve slightly or remain relatively constant [at recent catches].. For LIN3 and LIN4: Median estimates of biomass are unlikely to have been below 35% B 0. Biomass is estimated to have been increasing since Stock status is predicted to improve over the next 5 years at a catch level equivalent to...about two-thirds of the available LIN 3 & 4 TACC. For LIN 5 and 6 (but not Bounty Plateau): Median estimates of biomass are unlikely to have been below 65% B 0. Biomass is estimated to have been increasing since The assessment model is very sensitive to relatively small changes in [Natural Mortality] M. Because of the relative lack of contrast in the abundance series, estimates of absolute current and reference biomass are unreliable Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 76

82 For LIN7 (West Coast): All model runs produced quite similar estimates of stock status (i.e., B 2008 = 43-69% B 0 ). However, owing to the lack of a reliable abundance series this assessment is very uncertain, but it is probable that B 2008 is greater than 40% B 0, and it could be much higher. (MFish, 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing method(s): Ling is mainly caught in targeted bottom longline and bottom trawling operations. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling bulldozes the seafloor and causes serious damage to seamounts, sea floor species and fragile deep-sea ecosystems. Bycatch: Several thousand seabirds are drowned on the longlines used in the ling fishery every year. This includes the critically endangered Chatham s albatross and other threatened species (e.g. white-chinned petrels, grey petrels, Salvin s albatross, flesh-footed shearwaters and sooty shearwaters). In September 2007, 12 critically endangered Chatham albatrosses and 22 Salvin s albatrosses were caught by a single long-line vessel on the Chatham Rise. New Zealand fur seals are also killed in the trawl fishery, as are a range of deepwater sharks including seal sharks. Ling is itself a non-target bycatch in the West Coast hoki fishery, which also has serious bycatch problems. Ecological effects: The combined effects of seafloor damage and alteration, high non-target fish bycatch, protected and threatened species bycatch and practices such as the dumping of offal and other fish waste during processing at sea has considerable ecological implications. Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. The ling trawl and longline fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (and international body that assesses and awards sustainable fisheries certifications). Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative assessment for LIN 3 and 4 (2007), 5 and 6 (2007), 7 (2009), and 6 Bounty (2006) and for LIN2 (Cook Strait) (2010). References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; Guidebook The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; SeaFIC website Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 77

83 Lookdown dory Scientific name: Cyttus traversi Other names: king dory. Alternative Choice John dory Ranking: E (Red - Avoid)? Description: An offshore, deepwater species that is widely distributed around New Zealand and caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries, particularly the hoki fishery. Ecological concerns: The absence of some basic biological information, the absence of a quantitative stock assessment, the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels and the absence of a management plan. The fishery also has direct impacts on seafloor communities as a result of trawl fishing. As lookdown dory is a bycatch of other fisheries, it is also associated with seabird, marine mammal and other nontarget fish bycatch. Economic value: Lookdown dory is primarily sold in New Zealand. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Lookdown dory are caught all around New Zealand with the largest catches on the East Coast of the South Island, the Chatham Rise and the West Coast of the South Island. Maximum age (years): 38+ Age at sexual maturity: uncertain Growth rate: Low? Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: uncertain Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Uncertain. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 783 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 435 tonnes in Stock trends: Uncertain but annual trawl survey on the Chatham Rise show no decline in recent years. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: There are no known sustainability concerns in the lookdown dory fishery. For LDO 3, trawl surveys on the Chatham Rise and Sub-Antarctic indicate abundance has fluctuated in both areas. There are no abundance indices for LDO 1. For LDO3: Stock size is unlikely to change much at current catch levels in [southern areas] FMA 5 and 6. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2011, p ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Trawling - lookdown dory is caught as bycatch in the hoki fishery and to a much smaller extent in the barracouta, hake, ling and scampi fisheries. Habitat damage: Bottom trawl fishing scrapes the seabed, reducing species diversity and altering habitat composition. Bycatch: As a bycatch species of other fisheries, lookdown dory is associated with seabird and marine mammal bycatch problems. It is also associated with high non-target fish bycatch. Ecological effects: The combined effects of seafloor damage and alteration, high non-target fish bycatch plus seabird and marine mammal bycatch has considerable ecological implications. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes since Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 78

84 Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species but there is some indication that the Chatham Rise may have a different stock to Sub-Antarctic. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 79

85 Mako shark Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Isurus oxyrinchus mako (Maori), mackerel shark, shortfin mako. No alternative Description: Mako sharks, like most shark species, are slow growing and highly vulnerable to overfishing. They are related to porbeagle sharks and are listed as a vulnerable threatened species on the IUCN-Red list of threatened species. A highly migratory species, Mako sharks are taken in large numbers in New Zealand s tuna longline fisheries, mainly in the West and East Coast of the North Island from the Bay of Plenty north. About 25% of mako sharks caught are processed and the rest are dumped at sea. Mako shark are the third most common species of shark that are targeted for their highly priced fins, with about 47% of the reported catch recorded as finned. Jointly with snapper, oreo/deepwater dory and southern bluefin tuna, mako shark has the second worst ecological ranking of any commercial fishery in New Zealand.? Ecological concerns: Limited research on mako sharks, lack of a stock assessment and uncertainty about the state of the stocks. The high number of juveniles in the catch is also of concern, as is the bycatch of other sharks, seabirds and fur seals. Where mako sharks are caught using bottom fishing methods, impacts on the seafloor and associated communities are also of concern. Mako is assessed by IUCN red list as a vulnerable threatened species. Whilst there is no specific management plan for mako sharks, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for makos, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. The practise of shark finning makos and other sharks continues to be legal in New Zealand, which is enormously wasteful. Economic value: The primary value is in the highly priced fins (and tails), which are exported to East Asian markets. Shark fin export value for all species average $40/kg and New Zealand is in the top 20 countries for selling shark product. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Mako sharks are highly migratory oceanic fish that often visit coastal areas around northern New Zealand. They are caught by longline vessels on the west coast of the North Island and East Coast. Maximum age (years): 29 males and 28 females. Age at sexual maturity: 7-9 years males and years females. Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: Very Low. Age exploited: 2+ (Much of the catch is immature.) Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 406 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 91 tonnes in , the highest in six years. Stock trends: Uncertain. MSY Status: Uncertain, but reported as vulnerable to overexploitation. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: There have been no stock assessments of mako sharks in New Zealand or elsewhere in the world. No estimates of yield are possible with the currently available data... Compared with a range of shark species, the productivity of mako sharks is very low... The low fecundity is cause for serious concern, as the ability of the population to replace sharks removed by fishing is very limited. (Ministry of Fisheries 2011, p ). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 80

86 Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method(s): Primarily pelagic longlining around the North Island, with a smaller catch caught by bottom longliners and trawlers. Habitat damage: Low except when caught by bottom trawling, which alters seafloor community structure and function. Bycatch: Other sharks, seabirds and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: Removal of a large predatory species has wide implications for oceanic food webs. The practise of shark finning cutting off the high-priced fins of sharks and dumping the rest of the body at sea is contributing to the decline of shark species worldwide. Shark finning is legal in New Zealand. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes in Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary (November 2011) Stock assessments and yield estimates..science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Bishop, S.D.; Francis, M.P.; Duffy, C. (2006). Age, growth, maturity, longevity and natural mortality of the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) in New Zealand waters. Marine and Freshwater Research 57: ; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries;. IUCN red list at Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 81

87 Moonfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Lampris guttatus opah, spotted moonfish, nandai, akamanbo (Japan). Albacore or Skipjack tuna? Description: Moonfish are a bycatch in tuna longline fisheries on the west coast of both main islands. Ecological concerns: the uncertainty of some basic biological information, uncertainty about the state of the stocks, basic biology, the bycatch of sharks, seabirds and fur seals, and the lack of a stock assessment, or a management plan. There are also ecological concerns given removal of this large predator species from the food web. Economic value: Moonfish has low commercial value and catch is exported to Australia, Europe and the US. The export value of all tuna and swordfish species combined was $40.1 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Moonfish are a widely distributed pelagic species found in both temperate and tropical waters of the World's oceans. Maximum age (years): Age at sexual maturity: 4-5? Growth rate: Medium-high. Reproductive output: Medium-high. Age exploited: 2-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: There is no information on stock structure but Moonfish is known to have a South Pacific wide distribution. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 527 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 118 tonnes in , the highest reported landings in seven years. About 70% of moonfish caught are mature. Stock trends: Uncertain. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: There is insufficient information to conduct a stock assessment for moonfish. While there is no information on stock status, available data suggests that moonfish are moderately productive and that most (71%) of NZ s catches are of mature fish. Provided that juvenile moonfish are not experiencing high fishing mortality elsewhere in their range, it is unlikely that the stock is currently depleted. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method: Moonfish are caught mainly by pelagic longline vessels targeting tuna on the west coast of the North Island and East Coast, with pelagic trawling for southern blue whiting and hoki being the second main method. Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: Sharks, seabirds and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: Removal of moonfish and non-target species from marine systems. Management and management unit (score E and E) Quota Management Species: Yes added in Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 82

88 Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Management component: Single species but there are species identification issues with a new species recently described as big-eyed moonfish. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries (2010) Operational Management Plan for Large Pelagic Species. 27p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 83

89 Orange Roughy Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Hoplostethus atlanticus Deepsea perch, sea perch, slimehead (NZ), red roughy (Australia), hoplostete orange, granatbarsch (Germany), pesce arancio (Italy), beryx de nouvellezelande (France), rosy soldierfish (Canada). Trevally or Tarakihi Description: Orange Roughy is a very slow growing and long-lived ( years) deepwater fish, making it highly vulnerable to fishing pressure and overfishing. It does not breed until years old and does so once a year in large spawning aggregations, often around deepwater seamounts, pinnacles and canyons around New Zealand. There are nine distinct orange roughy fisheries within the New Zealand EEZ, each managed independently. The East and South Chatham Rise fishery is the largest and oldest orange roughy fishery in the world. Jointly with porbeagle shark, orange roughy has the lowest ecological ranking on the Best Fish Guide. Ecological concerns: New Zealand s orange roughy have suffered from years of over-fishing on the spawning grounds, which has decimated populations. Although quotas have been reduced in recent years, serious concerns remain as they may not be enough. Nothing is known about roughy recruitment and there is a mismatch between model projections and catch information. Most populations are now below 20% of their original unfished size with one reduced to just 3%. As well as stock concerns, orange roughy is caught by bottom trawling, which destroys sea floor species assemblages and fragile seamount habitats. It effectively bulldozes the sea floor demolishing black corals, lace corals, coral trees, colourful sponge fields and long-lived bryozoans, some aged at over 500 years old. Deepwater sharks and other non-target fish species are also caught, which alters marine food web dynamics. As a prey species for sperm whales and giant squid, orange roughy depletion has a direct impact on these deepwater species. Some orange roughy fisheries have also caught seabirds and marine mammals. Economic value: Orange Roughy continues to decline in value but is still one of the top ten most valuable export fish species, worth $42 million in Previously this was $200 million. Most is exported to the USA and Australia, with some to the UK where it is reportedly used by some fast food chains as fish fillet burgers. Orange roughy is also sold in New Zealand, for example as frozen fish fillets. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: The main spawning grounds around New Zealand are the Challenger Plateau, Cook Canyon, Puysegur Bank, North Chatham Rise, Ritchie Bank and East Cape at depths of between 700 metres and at least 1500 metres. Most are caught on the Chatham Rise where the underwater terrain is rugged and consists of hill, pinnacle and canyon seascapes. Maximum age (years): Age at sexual maturity: years. Growth rate: Very slow. Reproductive output: Low. Females carry 40,000 to 60,000 eggs per kilogram of body weight, which is less than 10% of the average for other fish species. Age exploited: From about years old. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 84

90 Population size: Most stocks are below 20% of their unfished population size (B 0 ). The Challenger population was reduced down to 3% B 0. Annual catch limit: Was set at 8211 tonnes in , with areas ORH7B closed. This has been further reduced to 6931 tonnes from 1 October Recorded catch: Reported landings of 9488 tonnes in ,continuing decline from a peak of 54,000 tonnes in Stock trends: Long-term decline. MSY Status: Most stocks are depleted well below B MSY and with minimal chance of recovery in the near future. Uncertain status for both Southern ORH 3B and exploratory ORH 1. Rebuilding of stocks indicated in models is not supported by catch rate information (e.g. ORH3B and ORH7B). The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For ORH 1, An assessment of the Mercury-Colville box in 2001 indicated that biomass had been reduced to 10-15% B 0 (compared to an assumed B MSY of 30% B 0 ). In other areas of ORH 1 the status of the constituent stocks is unknown. without any indication of current abundance, there is no way to determine if this level of fishing is in fact sustainable or if current feature limits will avoid overexploitation of localised areas. For ORH 3B: NW and South Chatham Rise The All data run suggested that B 2006 was approximately 11% B 0, and the No biomass run slightly lower (9% B 0 ). Both suggest that B 2006 was Very Unlikely (< 10%) to be at or above the target biomass. Under both models the stock was not projected to recover to the soft limit unless catches were reduced. NE Chatham Rise B 2010 was estimated to be 7-18% B 0 depending on assumptions ; very unlikely (< 10%) to be above the Management Target. B 2010 is about as Likely as Not (40-60%) to be below the Hard Limit. Biomass is expected to continue to decline at 2010 levels of catch. Puysegur the point estimate of biomass from this assessment *1998+ is probably below B MSY, [7%] but it is uncertain ; Other areas substantial declines in commercial catches and nominal catch rates for Bounty, Priceless, Pukaki and other areas in the sub-antarctic since about ORH2A, 2B and 3A: East Cape the 2003 assessment indicated that the stock was then about 24%B 0 which was unlikely to be at or above the target (30%Bo). The most recent assessment (2003) is now 8 year out-of-date. In recent years, the ability of stock assessment models that assume deterministic recruitment for orange roughy stocks to reflect current or projected stock status has been called into question. East Coast North Island - B 2011 was 9% B 0...and was very unlikely to be above the target [and] indicated that biomass has declined continually since the inception of the fishery. B 2011 was likely to be below the Soft Limit (20%Bo). At the current TACC (1500 t)...the biomass was projected to continue to decline over the next 5 years. West Coast (ORH7B): No estimates of current biomass are available. By the late 1990s the stock was believed to be well below B MSY (17% B 0 in the 2004 assessment). Challenger (ORH7A): The minimum biomass estimate of t is unlikely to be at or above the target. Biomass declined steeply through the 1980s and did not appear to have increased by 2000 when the fishery was closed [at about 3%Bo]. Survey results from 2009 suggest that biomass has increased since the closure. (MFish, 2011, p523, , , , and ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Bottom trawling between 750 and 1200m. Habitat Damage: Bottom trawling destroys sea floor species assemblages and fragile seamount habitats. It decimates black coral, lace corals, colourful sponge fields, long-lived bryozoans and many other invertebrate species. Bycatch: Includes coral trees, sponges and gorgonians which have been aged at over 500 years old. A range of nontarget fish species are also caught including deepwater dory or oreo, Baxter s dogfish and basket-work eels. There is a bycatch of marine mammals and seabirds in some fisheries. Ecological effects: In addition to the ecological effects of habitat damage, Orange Roughy is a prey species of sperm whale and giant squid, so the commercial catch also reduces the amount of available food for species further up deep sea food chains. Fishing for Orange Roughy and oreos also removes a large proportion of deep sea benthic biomass, significantly altering these unique communities. Management and management unit (score C and D) Quota management species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management and operational plan completed but lacking in key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments have been carried out for most areas apart from most of ORH 1 and Southern ORH 3B. Latest assessments at ORH1 (Mercury-Colville) 2001, East Cape 2003, East Coast North Island Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 85

91 2011, NW Chatham Rise 2006, East and South Chatham Rise 2011, Puysegur 1998, Challenger 2010, West Coast South Island 2007 References Clark M (2001) Are deepwater fisheries sustainable? the example of Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) in New Zealand. Fisheries research 51: ; Clark MR, Anderson OF, Francis RICC, Tracey OM (2000) The effects of commercial exploitation on Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) from the continental slope of the Chatham Rise, NZ from 1979 to Fisheries Research 45: ; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; SeaFIC website 2004; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 86

92 Oreos / Deepwater Dory Scientific name: Other names: Alternative choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Allocyttus niger (black oreo), Neocyttus rhomboidalis (spiky oreo), Pseudocyttus maculatus (smooth oreo). NZ dory, black dory, smooth dory, spotted oreo, brown oreo, NZ smooth dory, deepwater dory, deepsea dory (Australia), teifseepetersfisch (Germany), peterfisch (Switzerland), dore austral (France, Switzerland). Trevally or Tarakihi Description: Oreos are deepwater fish that are long-lived (up to 150 years) and slow growing, making them highly vulnerable to fishing pressure and overfishing. There are three commercial species in New Zealand, but they are all managed as one quota management species. They are predominantly found in deep waters off the east and south of the South Island and off the Chatham Islands. Jointly with snapper, mako shark and southern bluefin tuna, oreos have the second worst ecological ranking on the Best Fish Guide of any commercial fishery in New Zealand. Ecological concerns: Management of the three oreo species as one, a declining stock trend, uncertainty over stock boundaries, lack of stock assessments in some areas, unknown sustainability of catch limits and lack of a management plan. Attempts to improve research in the oreo fishery have been hampered by the seafood industry challenging and preventing the Ministry of Fisheries from commissioning research surveys. Also of great concern is the destructive impact of deep sea trawling on seamount habitats and high levels of non target fish bycatch. There is also a bycatch of marine mammals and seabirds. Economic value: Key markets are the USA, Australia, Germany and Switzerland, with smooth oreo being the main market species. Exports were worth $7.47 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: Oreos occur around the south of New Zealand at depths of 600m to over 1000m. Black Spiky Smooth Maximum age (years): Age at sexual maturity: 27 Unknown 31 Growth rate: Very Slow Very Slow Very Slow Reproductive output: Low-medium Low Low-medium Age exploited: 27? Unknown 21 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Estimates are uncertain. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 18,850 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 16,791 tonnes in , down from a peak of 26,514 tonnes in and 21,755 in Stock trends: Declining in most areas except smooth oreaos in OEOI3A.. MSY Status: Unknown for all areas except OEO 3A (black and smooth), OEO 4 (smooth), southland (OEO13A) and Pukaki (OEO6). Estimates are uncertain and there are conflicts between sub-areas (OEO3A), declines in CPUE inconsistent with stock sizes and unsustainable catches in Southland (OEO1/3A) and Pukaki (OEO6). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 87

93 The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: OEO 3A: Black oreos For the base case, B 2007 was estimated to be about 29% B 0 ; the stock was estimated to be unlikely to be at or above the target Smooth Oreos - For the base case, B 2009 was estimated at 36% B 0, About As Likely As Not to be at or above the target. The biomass is expected to increase over the next 5 years given the current catch limit of 1400 t. OEO 4: Black oreos The 2009 stock assessment of OEO 4 black oreo was considered unreliable. CPUE has been stable for the last 5 years, after initial substantial decline during the 1980s and 1990s. ; Smooth oreos For the base case, B 2007 was estimated at 57% B 0 ; Likely to be at or above the target.. OEO1/3A Southland: Smooth oreo B 2007 was estimated at 27% B 0, Unlikely to be at or above the target. Biomass has been declining at a steady rate since the late 1980s. OEO6 Pukaki Rise: Smooth Oreo - For the base case, B 2006 was estimated at 42% B 0. B 2006 is about As Likely As Not (40-60%) to be at or above the target.; Black oreos - B 2009 was estimated at 44% B 0. B 2009 is about As Likely As Not (40-60%) to be at or above the target. Biomass is likely to decline in the next 5 years if catches are maintained at the level (3346 t). Estimated probability of the biomass being less than 20% B 0 [is] 47% in OEO6 Bounty Plateau: Smooth Oreo B 2008 was estimated at 33% B 0 ; Unlikely (< 40%) to be at or above the target. Biomass is estimated to have been decreasing rapidly since (Ministry of Fisheries, 2011, p , , and ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Deepwater trawling, mainly on the south Chatham Rise, eastern Southland and Sub-Antarctic Plateau. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling decimates seabed habitats and fragile seamount species assemblages. Bycatch: A range of non-target species are caught including deepwater sharks such as seal shark, Baxter s dogfish and shovel-nosed dogfish. Deepwater invertebrates such as soft corals, tall sponges, bryozoans, gorgonian corals and other corals are also caught, some of which have been aged at over 500 years. There is also a bycatch of seabirds and marine mammals. Ecological effects: Combined with the ecological effects of the closely associated orange roughy, the oreo fishery is responsible for considerable damage to seamounts, other special deepwater habitats and associated communities. Management and management unit (score C and E) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Three different species managed together as one when they should be managed independently. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment in OEO 3A (Black and Smooth ), OEO4 (Black -2009, and Smooth 2007), OEO1 Southland (Smooth 2004), OEO 6 -Pukaki Rise (Black 2009 and Smooth 2006), Bounty Plateau (Smooth 2008) only. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 88

94 Oysters Scientific name: Tiostrea chilensis Other names: tio, tio para, tio repe, tio parupaur (Maori), Dredge oyster, Bluff oyster, Foveaux Strait oyster, Stewart Island Oyster, Nelson oyster, flat oyster. Alternative Choice: Cockles Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: Wild caught oysters or dredge oysters are endemic to New Zealand and are found in coastal waters, often in dense communities. The fishery is seasonal (open from March to August), with the main commercial fishery operating in Foveaux Strait. A small catch is also taken when harvesting scallops in Tasman and Golden bays and a new fishery has started in Clifford and Cloudy Bays. Ecological concerns: Wild oysters (not farmed) are collected by dredging a highly destructive fishing method that digs into the seafloor, destroying seafloor communities in its path. The use of heavy box dredgers is especially damaging. Dredging creates considerable sedimentation, which smothers seabed communities in the areas where the fishery operates. In much of the Foveaux Strait, dredging has removed bryozoan reef communities, which has exposed some previously sheltered marine life to storm and tide action. Some oyster beds have not recovered from dredging, even after 50 years. The oyster fishery also catches a range of non-target species and has impacts on a number of fish populations, especially blue cod stocks. In Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, oysters have declined to low population levels and the fishery has been associated with a decline in fish stocks. The lack of a management plan and inadequate consideration of the impact of dredging in new areas (e.g. Clifford and Cloudy Bay) is also of concern. The presence of an ongoing disease in Foveaux Strait oysters in recent years, which has killed over 60% of the population, has made it difficult to estimate the current status of the population there. Economic value: Foveaux Strait oysters are sold in New Zealand, while some Nelson/Marlborough oysters are exported (up to a value of $10 million per year). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Widespread around New Zealand. Maximum age (years): 36+ Age at sexual maturity: 3-4 years. Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: High to very high. Age exploited: 4-8 years old. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: In 2006 the recruited stock size in Foveaux Strait was estimated at about 28% B 0, which is up from 10% in The biomass in Tasman Bay and Golden Bay continues to decline and is now at 32% of 1998 levels, with only 3% of 1998 levels in Golden Bay. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 2094 tonnes in Recorded catch: Reported landings of tonnes in from Foveaux Strait, Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, and Clifford and Cloudy Bays. In Foveaux Strait current catches are less than 10% of catches in the 1980s. Stock trends: Uncertain in Foveaux Strait, with biomass projected to be decreasing or slowly increasing depending on level of Bonamia infection. Trends are also uncertain in Clifford and Cloudy Bays. In Tasman and Golden bays the stock has decreased to its lowest level since MSY Status: The Tasman Bay population is well below B MSY, and other stocks are either below target levels or uncertain. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 89

95 The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Foveaux Strait: Unlikely to be at or above the target... Stock size reached its low point in 2005, which is near the historical minimum but has been increasing since then.. Stock size is highly dependent on the levels of mortality from bonamia and continued recruitment around the longterm average. Depending on the level of assumed [Bonamia] disease mortality, the 2009 stock assessment shows the median projected status in 2012 ranges from 30% more than the current level (with nil disease mortality) to 23% below the current level (assuming disease mortality of 0.2 y -1 )....The decreased rate of projected rebuilding is due to relatively low numbers of pre-recruits and small oyster available to recruit to fishery in the short term. For Tasman/Golden Bays: Stock projections are unavailable... The TACC is higher than the maximum estimates of CAY and MCY.. and catches at the level of the TACC are also likely to cause the stock to drop below the Hard Limit [10%B 0 + in the near term. For Marlborough stocks (Clifford and Cloudy Bays): Quantitative stock projections are unavailable.. Stocks are likely to be close to virgin biomass (B 0 ) because the area has been commercially fished for only two seasons at the increased TAC. (MFish, 2011, pp 79-81, 90-91, 97-98) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B) Fishing method: Bottom dredging with a heavy metal dredger. Habitat damage: Dredging in effect bulldozes the sea floor, causing extensive habitat destruction, including the loss of bryozoan reefs from large areas of Foveaux Strait. Bryozoan reefs are not only important habitat types for species diversity, they are also important settlement areas for oysters and important for other commercial species (e.g. blue cod). Bycatch: Dredging collects everything that is large enough to be retained by the mesh. In an experiment, bottom dredging killed 19 36% of small oysters (Cranfield et al 1999). Ecological effects: Dredging causes considerable ecological damage, both directly to seafloor communities and indirectly by increasing sedimentation and smothering, and by altering food web dynamics. A disease (Bonamia) has repeatedly infected oysters in the Foveaux Strait fishery in recent years causing large-scale mortality. This is likely to have been exacerbated by the impacts of dredging, which has highly modified the seabed and stressed oysters. In areas where dredging stopped, blue cod and dredge oyster numbers increased and seafloor habitats have started to regenerate (Cranfield et al 2001). Management and management unit (score C and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1996 for Nelson/Marlborough, 1998 for Foveaux Strait, and 2005 for Marlbough (Clifford and Cloudy Bays). Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment in 2009 was updated in 2010 for Foveaux Strait and 2011 in Nelson-Marlborough, and 2007 survey in Marlborough. References: Cranfield H J, Michael K P and Doonan I J, 1999 Changes in the distribution of epifaunal reefs and oysters during 130 years of dredging for oysters in Foveaux Strait, southern New Zealand. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 9, Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, Revised Edition 2007, The New Zealand Seafood Industry council Ltd.; Ministry of Fisheries H J Cranfield, G Carbines, K P Michael, A Dunn, D R Stotter, D J Smith (2001) Promising signs of regeneration of blue cod and oyster habitat changed by dredging in Foveaux Strait, southern New Zealand. NZ Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2001, Vol. 35. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 90

96 Pacific bluefin tuna Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Thunnus orientalis Bluefin, Northern bluefin tuna (Australia), thon rouge de sud (Canada, France), minamimaguro (Japan). Albacore or Skipjack tuna Description: Pacific bluefin tuna is a very large, highly migratory species that can move thousands of kilometres in a year. It was previously known as Northern bluefin tuna in the Pacific, but the northern bluefin is actually a different species (T. thynnus) that grows much bigger and is a rare visitor to New Zealand. Pacific bluefin tuna are occasionally caught in New Zealand, in association with southern bluefin tuna (T. maccoyii), in longline fisheries off the West Coast of the South Island, around Northland and in the Bay of Plenty. Ecological concerns: Limited research, uncertainty about stock assessments and the state of stocks (including the potential that they are overfished), unclear international management across different Pacific tuna management agreements and the lack of a management plan. The bycatch of seabirds, a range of shark species and NZ fur seals is also of concern, as is the removal of this important predatory species from oceanic food webs. Economic value: Pacific bluefin tuna are sold in Japan, USA and Canada where it is highly prized for sashimi and sushi. Almost all large bluefins are shipped to Japan where they can fetch very high prices. The export value of all tuna species combined was $38 million in Pacific bluefin quota was valued at $0.2m in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Pacific bluefin tuna are caught on the west coast of the South Island, around Northland and in the Bay of Plenty. Maximum age (years): 20+ Age at sexual maturity: 3-5 Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 3+ Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Unknown - North and Central Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 116 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 14 tonnes in 2010, compared to 18,600 tonnes taken in the Pacific. Stock trends: Uncertain but past declines in the size of the spawning population. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: about as likely as not to be at or above Bmsy. Biomass in 1995 was estimated to have rebuilt from a historic low in the mid-1980s, but has declined slightly since that time... under recent levels of fishing mortality, spawning biomass will decline but in the long-term spawning biomass will attain its historical median level. (MFish, 2011, p ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method: Longlining on the West Coast of the South Island and around Northland and Bay of Plenty. Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: Seabirds, sharks and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: Excess removal of this and other large predatory species has knock-on effects on the wider food web. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 91

97 Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: Yes in Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No NZ quantitative stock assessment. An assessment by the International Scientific Committee for tuna and tuna-like species (ISC) in 2008 but has not been well documented or reviewed by WCPFC Scientific Committee. References: The distribution of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in the south east Pacific Ocean, with emphasis on New Zealand waters, T Murray, NIWA, Aug 2005 NZFAR 2005/42; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). 53p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 92

98 Packhorse lobster Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Sagmariasus verreauxi koura, papatia, pawharu (Maori), packhorse crayfish, crayfish, green rock lobster, Eastern rock lobster (Australia / US). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Found in the north and east of the North Island, Packhorse rock lobster live around rocky reefs at depths of 5 to 275m. They are larger and have a slightly greener colour than rock lobster (crayfish) and are mainly caught in the far north waters of New Zealand.? Ecological concerns: Concerns include the lack of basic biological data about the species, the absence of any stock assessment or directed research on this species, the higher catch since 2007, the apparent decline within diving depth and the lack of a management plan. Catching packhorse lobster with cray pots may have impacts on some sensitive seabed habitats.? Economic value: The market for Packhorse lobster includes Japan. Best option: Packhorse lobster hand caught. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Found mainly in the north of the North Island. Maximum age (years): Thought to be long-lived. Age at sexual maturity: Unknown. Growth rate: Unknown. Reproductive output: Unknown. Size/age exploited: Unknown. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 40.3 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings have been over 30 tonnes for the last 4 years and 32.8 tonnes was caught in Stock trends: Unknown, but abundance has declined at diving depths. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current or reference biomass are available. The status of this stock is unknown. (MFish 2011, p190). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and B) Fishing method: Cray pots (often large, heavy and baited), which are dropped down to the seafloor to depths of 200m. Habitat damage: Minimal, but when carried out over sensitive habitats, may damage seafloor species such as soft corals. Bycatch: Minimal, but some octopus and shag species may be caught. Ecological effects: Unknown. Packhorse lobster are important generalist predators of a range of species including kina, so their depletion from an area may cause wider ecological impacts. Management and management unit (score E and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 93

99 Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative assessment and no proposed future research. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand commercial fisheries: The atlas of area codes and TACCs 2008/2009. Clement and Associates Limited, Nelson (2008). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 94

100 Paddle crab Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Ovalipes catharus päpaka (Maori), swimming crab, south pacific crab, NZ sea crab, étrille (France), Gazami, menagazami (Japan). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Paddle crabs are found around New Zealand and southern Australia, where it is widely distributed in sandy, shallow waters. In New Zealand they are mainly caught off the east coast of the North Island, from the eastern Bay of Plenty northwards.? Ecological concerns: There is limited research on paddle crabs, resulting in the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels, uncertainty over stock status and basic biological information. There is also no management plan and some concern about habitat damage caused by the fishing methods, particularly when caught as bycatch in trawl and dredge fisheries. Economic value: Paddle crabs are sold in New Zealand and Japan. Best option: Paddle crabs caught using cray pots. Avoid crabs caught as bycatch in trawl and dredge fisheries. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Widely distributed around New Zealand on sandy seabeds in shallow waters. Maximum age (years): Unknown. Age at sexual maturity: 3-4 years (uncertain). Growth rate: Moderate to high. Reproductive output: High (uncertain). Age exploited: 3-4 (uncertain). Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 765 tonnes since Recorded catch: Total landings of 120 tonnes reported in which is the lowest catch for 10 years.. Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. Fishery Assessment plenary report states: For all QMAs *quota management areas+ Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. Landings have fluctuated significantly in most QMAs, mainly due to market variations. Paddle crabs are abundant throughout most of their range and the fishery is probably only lightly exploited. (MFish 2011, p663). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B) Fishing method(s): Baited traps and pots, but also caught as bycatch in trawl and dredge fisheries. Habitat damage: Low for trapping and potting, except in sensitive habitats. Trawling and particularly dredging can have significant habitat impacts, altering seafloor communities. Bycatch: Minor for baited traps or pots, apart from some octopus and hagfish. Trawling, however, catches a range of seabed dwellers and fish species that live on or close to the seafloor. Ecological effects: Paddle crabs are a food source for other marine species, such as octopus. Their depletion may alter food web dynamics and any damage caused to seafloor habitats, may impact associated communities. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 95

101 Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment and little directed research. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod. Science Group Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 96

102 Pale ghost shark Scientific name: Hydrolagus bemisi Other names: Chimaera, ratfish, pearl. Alternative Choice: No alternative Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: As with the dark ghost shark, this species is a slow growing deepwater shark that is found throughout New Zealand s offshore waters. It has soft skin that is easily damaged. It is caught almost entirely as a bycatch of other target trawl fisheries operating around the Chatham Rise and in southern waters, most notably the hoki fishery, but also the silver warehou, arrow squid and barracouta fisheries. Ecological concerns: There is a lack of some basic biological data on pale ghost sharks, little directed research and no quantitative stock assessment (resulting in unknown sustainability of current catch limits). Also of concern is the possible dumping of catches in past years. Habitat damage is caused by trawling and, as a bycatch species of other fisheries, it is associated with seabird, marine mammal and other non-target fish bycatch. Whilst there is no management plan for pale ghost sharks, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for ghost sharks, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. Economic value: Ghost sharks are exported to Australia, with the shark fins being exported to Asia, at a value of around $2 million (in 2008). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: A deepwater species found throughout New Zealand waters, but mostly on the Chatham Rise and Southland/Sub-Antarctic at depths of m. Maximum age (years): Unknown. Age at sexual maturity: Unknown. Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: Likely to be low. Age exploited: Unknown. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1780 tonnes since Recorded catch: Estimated landings of 751 tonnes in , the second lowest catch in ten years it is likely that ghost sharks have been dumped and not reported in past years. Stock trends: Uncertain. Chatham Rise trawl survey indicates a decline of 80% between 1984 and 1994 (Clark et al 2000). MSY Status: Unknown there are no yield estimates available. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: GSP 1 and 5: Unlikely at recent catch levels to be below the soft limit (20%Bo) and unknown at the TACC. Unknown for GSP 7. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Trawling - caught as bycatch in hoki, silver warehou, arrow squid and barracouta fisheries. Habitat damage: Trawling, especially bottom trawling for hoki, which bulldozes the sea floor destroying soft corals, sponges, long-lived bryozoans and other associated seafloor communities. Bycatch: As a bycatch species, pale ghost shark associated with the capture of a range of other species, including seabirds, fur seals and non-target fish. Ecological effects: Broad ecological impacts as a result of seafloor damage and removal of a wide variety of nontarget catch. (See hoki, silver warehou, arrow squid, barracouta). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 97

103 Management and management unit (score E and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment for any area and little directed research. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Alfonsino to Jack Mackerel. Science Group Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 98

104 Patagonian Toothfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Dissostichus eleginoides Chilean sea bass (USA), Légine australe (France), Austromerluza negra (Spain) Trevally or Tarakihi Description: Patagonian toothfish is found throughout the Southern Ocean between latitudes Sth including around Sub-Antarctic Islands of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans including southern South America. This is an important predator of the Southern Ocean. It is mainly caught by longline fishing but there are trawl fisheries around several Sub-Antarctic Islands in the Indian Ocean and Macquarie Island. The New Zealand EEZ catch is small and is a straddling stock with Australia s Macquarie Island. While many Patagonian toothfish fisheries are considered overfished and heavily depleted, several Patagonian toothfish fisheries are certified as sustainable under the international Marine Stewardship Council scheme, but they still have significant ecological impacts. Ecological concerns: The bycatch of some albatrosses and petrels each year, plus bycatch of deepwater sharks and rays. Also of concern is the high level of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing that has occurred in waters controlled by CCAMLR and adjacent seas. The fish caught in the NZ EEZ are likely to be a straddling stock which is shared with Australia, CCAMLR and SPRFMO management. The fish are likely to spawn in Australian waters around Macquarie Island. Plus there is the absence of an operational management plan. Economic value: Exported primarily to USA, Japan, China. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Patagonian toothfish is found throughout the Southern Ocean between latitudes Sth including around Sub-Antarctic Islands of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans including southern South America. Maximum age (years): 50+ Age at sexual maturity: 8-10 years. Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: Low. Age exploited: 8 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Population size is unknown for New Zealand waters and the Ross Sea region but for Australian Macquarie fishery it is now estimated at 54% unfished spawning biomass. The Macquarie fishery was closed for 4 years in the 1990s to allow rebuilding. Annual catch limit: 49.5 tonnes (from ) TACC and there is a limit of 510 tonnes (2011) in the Australian Macquarie EEZ. Recorded catch: There was no reported catch in but 20.5 tonnes were caught in This catch compares with 264 tonnes in in the Australian Macquarie EEZ. In CCAMLR waters around 10,000 tonnes of Patagonian toothfish are caught annually. Stock trends: Unknown for New Zealand waters and the Ross Sea region fish. The Macquarie fishery was closed for 4 years in the 1990s to allow rebuilding and is currently considered fully fished. Many toothfish fisheries in the Southern Ocean area overfished. MSY Status: Unknown for the NZ EEZ and unknown for the Ross Sea region. For Macquarie Island the fishery is consider fully fished. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: There are no estimates of fishery parameters, abundance or biomass for Patagonian toothfish with the New Zealand EEZ.. the status of the stock..is unknown. (MFish 2011, p 670). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 99

105 Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and D) Fishing method(s): Patagonian toothfish is mainly caught in targeted bottom longline but trawling is allowed around Macquarie Island and around sub-antarctic fisheries in the Indian Ocean. Habitat damage: Bottom longlining affecting vulnerable marine ecosystems including many longlived species rare species or unique community assemblages. Bottom trawling bulldozes the sea floor, destroying long-lived soft corals, sponges and other vulnerable species. Bycatch:. Bycatch includes deepwater sharks and rays and a range of corals, sponges and other benthic species. The affected albatrosses and petrels include several globally threatened species. Ecological effects: The effects of longlines impacting on coral, sponges and other seafloor damage and alteration, captures of deepwater sharks and skates, and the removal of a important southern predator. Also of concern is the loss of longline fishing gear. Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management and operational plan completed but lacking in key environmental standards. Management component: Single species, however stock boundaries are unclear. Stock assessment: No Quantitative stock assessment. References: European marketing and the MSC, SEAFOOD magazine, May 2004, Vol 12 no. 4, p8; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; MFish Starfish web pages 2004; SeaFIC website CCAMLR Scientific Committee Report Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery, 2010, H Patterson and M Skirtun, BRS Australia. Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery, Annual Status Report. Nov Picture: Ministry of Fisheries (2010). Press release Queen Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 100

106 Paua Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Haliotis iris (black-footed paua) and Haliotis australis (yellowfooted paua) kararuri, hihiwa, karahiwa, karariwha, koeo, korohiwa, kororiwha, marariwha, marari, hauwai, inaka, wharangi (Maori), abalone, black-foot paua (H. iris), yellow-foot paua, queen paua (H. australis). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Paua is a large sea-snail that lives in shallow coastal waters, usually in large groups on rocky reefs, and feeds of algae. There are two species in New Zealand (black-footed and yellow-footed paua), but it is black-footed paua that is most abundant, with virtually the entire commercial fishery targeting it. Paua is taken by hand, mainly by commercial fishers. The attractive shell also has some commercial value. Most wild paua are taken from the South Island, Chatham Islands, Stewart Island and the southern coast of the North Island. Ecological concerns: The depleted state and unsustainable current catch levels in a number of areas, for example, declining stocks around Stewart Island (area 5B) and parts of Southland (area 5A), the potential for serial depletion and small-scale recruitment failure and the lack of a management plan. As paua is a highly sought after resource, a black market for paua has led to widespread illegal harvesting. Paua is an important algal grazer within marine ecosystems, so depletion raises wider ecological concerns. Economic value: 80% is exported to the western Pacific Rim, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Total exports were worth $50 million in similar to the value in Best option: Make sure you only buy paua from a reputable retailer to avoid eating illegal caught fish. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: Paua is found around the whole coastline. Most of the commercial catch is from the Wairarapa coast southwards, with most of the catch from waters around the South Island, Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. Maximum age (years): Unknown. Age at sexual maturity: 3-5 (uncertain). Growth rate: Slow but variable. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Size exploited: 5-8 (Minimum shell length of 125mm for black-footed paua and 80mm for the smaller species, yellow-footed paua.) Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: Paua populations around Stewart Island (area 5B), the Otago coast (area 5D) and the top of the South Island (area 7) are below the reference biomass levels. Population size is unknown or uncertain in other areas. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1, tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported catch was 1, tonnes in (There is thought to be considerable (up to 1000 tonnes) illegal and non-reported paua harvesting.) Stock trends: Probably rebuilding in area 7, maybe increasing in area 2, declining or unknown in all other areas. MSY Status: Uncertain or. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: PAU4: The 2004 full quantitative assessment is no longer considered reliable. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 101

107 PAU5A (Fiordland): Southern Area: Very Unlikely to be below the soft and hard limits. Spawning stock biomass was estimated at 35% B 0. Northern Area: Unlikely to be below the soft limit (20%Bo). Very Unlikely to be below the hard limit (< 10%). Spawning stock biomass was estimated at 41% B 0 by the base case model but only at 26% B 0 by the hyperstability model. PAU 5B: In 2007 stock status was Very Unlikely to be Above the B AV target Spawning stock biomass was likely to increase and recruited biomass was as likely as not to decrease relative to the target PAU5D: Standardised CPUE generally declined until the early 2000s, followed by a steady increase until 2006 and has remained relatively flat until 2008.The stock assessment results were equivocal the future direction of recruited biomass was uncertain PAU 7: Recruited biomass is very unlikely to be above target and spawning biomass is About as Likely as Not (40-60%) to be at or above the target. In the three year projections spawning biomass is likely to increase and as likely as not to be above the target. Recruited biomass is likely to remain below target.. PAU 2 and 3: There are no estimates of reference or current biomass for PAU 2 and 3. For PAU6: The current TACC of 1 tonne is sustainable. (MFish, 2011,, , , , , , , and ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score A and A) Fishing method: Paua is collected by hand by free divers using a knife. Underwater breathing apparatus is not allowed. Habitat damage: Minimal. Other marine species may be damaged when paua are cut from rocks. Ecological effects: Removal of this important algal grazer from sub-tidal communities may alter algal community structure and modify food web dynamics. However, impacts will depend on scale and intensity of harvesting. Management and management unit (score C and E) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No Management component: Two species managed as one. However, most commercial fisheries target one species only. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments in PAU 4 (2004), 5A (2010), 5B (2007), 5D (2006) and 7 (2008). Uncertainties in models are likely to cause the model results to be optimistic. The assessments do not estimate unfished stock size related to (B 0 ). References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 102

108 Pilchard Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Sardinops sagax mohimohi (Maori), sardine, pillie, Australian sardine (Australia), maiwashi (Japan). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Only recently identified as a separate species, the NZ pilchard is a small (up to 25cm), short-lived, but relatively fast growing fish found in mid to surface coastal waters. It is widely distributed around New Zealand, but found in heavy concentrations in sheltered bays such as the Hauraki Gulf and Tasman Bay, sometimes in mixed schools with sprat and anchovy. Pilchards are mainly targeted throughout the year by purse seiners, but also beach seine and lampara nets. In 1995 some populations were severely impacted by a natural mass mortality, thought to have been caused by a virus. Jointly with anchovy and sprats, pilchard has the highest ecological ranking of any New Zealand commercial fishery and is therefore one of the best fish choices.? Ecological concerns: There is an absence of research on pilchards and the lack of a stock assessment, meaning that the sustainability of the current catch levels is unknown. There is also no management plan and concern that reducing their population could disrupt marine food chains as it is a prey item for many other fish species, seabirds and some marine mammals. Economic value: Exports of $140,000 to Asia (in 2008) with some locally available pilchards in New Zealand. Best option: Try to choose pilchards caught by purse seine rather than beach seine, as this fishing method is a more selective and does not contact the seafloor. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score A) Distribution: Widespread in inshore waters around the North Island and northern South Island. Maximum age (years): 9 Age at sexual maturity: 2 years. Growth rate: Relatively fast growing. Reproductive output: High. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: A set catch limit of 2,485 tonnes was introduced in Recorded catch: Reported landings of 667 tonnes in , less than half the catch in Stock trends: Annual landings have fluctuated from between 25 tonnes to 1,491 tonnes in the last 16 years. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current biomass are available. Recent catches from northeast North Island, and the TACC for PIL1 [northern North Island] are higher than the 660t MCY [maximum current yield] estimate. However, the MCY estimate is considered unreliable. It is not known if the current catches or TACCs are sustainable. (MFish, 2009, p.675). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B) Fishing method(s): Mainly purse seine, but also beach seine and lampara nets. Habitat damage: Low impact from fishing methods, especially when caught by purse seine. Bycatch: Sometimes catches other pelagic fish, such as anchovy, jack mackerel (in north) and sprats (in south). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 103

109 Ecological effects: Reducing the pilchard population disrupts marine food chains, reducing a prey species for other marine life including larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals. This disruption to food webs has occurred in similar fisheries overseas. Management and management unit (score E and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment and no current directed research. References: Pilchard biology and fisheries in New Zealand, and a review of pilchard biology, fisheries and research in the main world fisheries, LJ Paul et al, NZ Fisheries Assessment report 2001/37, NIWA, July 2001; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 104

110 Porbeagle shark Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Lamna nasus Porbeagle, porpoise shark No alternative Description: Pobeagle sharks, like most shark species, are slow growing and highly vulnerable to overfishing. They are related to mako sharks and are listed as a vulnerable threatened species on the IUCN-Red list of threatened species. Porbeagle sharks are highly migratory and are mainly caught as bycatch in a range of tuna longline fisheries on the west coast of both main Islands. They are also caught as bycatch in some mid-water and bottom trawl fisheries. Most of the porbeagle sharks landed (around 80%) are caught just for their highly priced fins, with the rest of the carcass dumped at sea. Jointly with orange roughy, porbeagle shark has the lowest ecological ranking on the Best Fish Guide. Ecological concerns: there is limited research on porbeagle sharks and no stock assessment. As a result there is uncertainty about the state of the stocks and the sustainability of catch limits. The fisheries associated with the porbeagle shark catches also catch other sharks, seabirds and fur seals. When caught as bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries, seafloor habitats are also damaged. Whilst there is no management plan for porbeagle sharks, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for porbeagle sharks, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. The practise of shark finning porbeagles and other sharks continues to be legal in New Zealand, which is enormously wasteful. Economic value: The primary value is in the highly priced fins (and tails), which are exported to East Asia. Shark fin export value for all species average $40/kg and New Zealand is in the top 20 countries for selling shark product. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: Porbeagle sharks are a widespread oceanic species, found around most of New Zealand. Maximum age (years): 65? Age at sexual maturity: Males mature at 8-11 years and females at years. Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: Low. Age exploited: 1+ Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Set at 215 tonnes in Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 73 tonnes in , the highest reported landings in 8 years. Stock trends: Uncertain. MSY Status: Unknown, but numerous trends a cause for concern. Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN-Red list of threatened species. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Relative to a wide range of shark species, the productivity of porbeagle sharks is very low...the low fecundity is cause for strong concern, as the ability of the stock to replace sharks removed by fishing is very limited. [Stock] Unlikely to be at or above Bmsy. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Method: longlining around the North Island, and bottom trawling. Habitat damage: Low for longlining but high for bottom trawling. Bycatch: Sharks, seabirds and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline and trawl fishery. Ecological effects: Removal of large predator species as bycatch in the longline and trawl fishery. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 105

111 Management and management unit (score E and D) Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment in NZ or in the WCPFC. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Quota Management Species: Yes, added in References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates., Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 106

112 Queen scallops Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Zygochlamys delicatula (Chlamys delicatula) tipa (Maori), southern queen, NZ gem scallop, NZ gem shellfish Cockles E (Red - Avoid) Description: This is the smaller of two commercially fished scallop species in New Zealand. It is found mainly in southern waters from South Canterbury and Stewart Island to the Sub-Antarctic Islands. As with the more common scallops (Pecten novaezealandiae), they are found on the seafloor in sandy or muddy habitats. Queen scallops are a deeper species, found in waters up to 400m. They are harvested by dredging.? Ecological concerns: Dredging is a highly destructive fishing method. Fishing for queen scallops involves the use of bottom trawl nets, which are dragged along the seafloor. It results in a high bycatch of many non-target species, including invertebrates, and dramatically alters seabed ecology and associated species assemblages. Also of concern is the absence of directed research, unknown sustainability of current catch levels, absence of population size or yield estimates and the lack of a management plan. Economic value: The market for queen scallops includes New Zealand, Australia and Asia. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: From South Canterbury to Stewart Island and around offshore islands from the Snares to as far south as Macquarie Island, Australia. Maximum age (years): 10+ Age at sexual maturity: 4-5 years. Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: High. Age exploited: 3-5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Uncertain. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 380 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 25.3 tonnes in this is well down on catches at the turn of the mellenium. Stock trends: Unknown and there are no yield estimates. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: There are no estimates of fishery parameters or abundance are available at present. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B) Fishing method: Dredging. Habitat damage: Dredging removes a range of fragile invertebrate species including bryozoans and sponges. Bycatch: Non-target shellfish species and invertebrate species including bryozoans and sponges. Ecological effects: Dredging dramatically alters seabed ecology and associated species assemblages. Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since 2002 in FMA 3 and 5. Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 107

113 Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments. A non-standardised relative biomass is available from a 2004 survey. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod.. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 108

114 Ray s Bream Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Brama brama Atlantic pomfret, pomfret (Namibia/South Africa), Brachsenmakrele (Germany), Pesce castagna (Italy). Albacore or Skipjack tuna Description: Ray s Bream is a highly migratory species (HMS found worldwide in temperate, tropical and subtropical seas. The management responsibility for this species, as with other Western Pacific HMS, lies with an international body the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries commission (WCPFC). However, the Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for upholding WCPFC rules in New Zealand waters, with catch limits set under the quota management system. They are targeted and caught as a bycatch in the northern bigeye and southern bluefin tuna longline fisheries.? Ecological concerns: Uncertainty about state of stocks and catch limits. There is also concern about the bycatch of sharks, seabirds, fur seals and sea turtles. Another key concern is the ecological impacts of removing this middle tier predator species from oceanic food webs. Economic value: The export value of all tuna and swordfish species combined was $40.1 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Ray s bream is found worldwide in the temperate, subtropical and tropical waters in the Atlantic, Indian, and South Pacific Oceans. Maximum age (years): 25+ Age at sexual maturity: 3-5 Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited:? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Catch limit of 1045 tonnes in Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 150 tonnes in , the second lowest catch for 20 years.. Stock trends: Unknown there are no biomass estimates. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Catches in New Zealand increased from the late 1980s to 2000 but have declined from highs of 1001 t in the early 2000s to 150 t in 2010/11. There are no other yield estimates or stock assessment results available for Ray s bream. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Method: Pelagic / surface longlining - they are caught on the west and east coast of the North Island, plus around the Kermadecs. Habitat damage: None. Bycatch: Seabirds, sharks, New Zealand fur seals and turtles are caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: Removal of these middle tier predators and impacts oceanic food web dynamics. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes in Catch limits: Yes. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 109

115 Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species but reporting has mixed Ray s bream (Brama brama) and southern Ray s bream (Brama australis). Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Overview of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries, 2000, A Lewis and P Williams, Oceanic Fisheries Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia, August 2001; National Tuna Fishery Report 2001 New Zealand, T Murray and L Griggs, NIWA; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). 53p. Picture: Ministry of Fisheries (2010). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 110

116 Red cod Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Pseudophycis bachus hoka (Maori), NZ cod, moride rouge, julienette (Can, France), akadara, benidara (Japan). Red gurnard E (Red - Avoid) Description: This fast growing, but short-lived species is found throughout New Zealand, but is more common in southern waters at depths of 100 to 300m. They are mainly targeted by trawlers at depths of m in the Canterbury Bight and off Westland, but are also caught as bycatch in deepwater fisheries off the south of the South Island.? Ecological concerns: Globally threatened Hector s dolphins have been caught in the east coast South Island trawl fishery. Restrictions on trawling introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching these dolphins. However, dolphins outside closed areas are still at risk and a pending court ruling may reopen areas to trawling. Trawling also catches non-target fish and, when fished at the bottom or using bottom trawl gear, causes considerable damage to deepwater seabed habitats and ecosystems. Also of concern is the absence of directed research on red cod, the unknown or uncertain sustainability of current catch limits and the lack of updated assessments and a red cod management plan. Economic value: Red cod is sold in New Zealand and is exported to Australia, Canada, Japan, and United States, with a value of over $9 million in Best option: Red cod that are caught in areas other than the east coast South Island trawl fishery and fish that are not caught by bottom trawling. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Found throughout New Zealand in shallow coastal water to waters over 700m depth. They are most common in around the South Island at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 7 (uncertain). Age at sexual maturity: 2-3 Growth rate: Relatively fast growing. Reproductive output: High to very high. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown variable, with good recruitment in colder El Nino climatic conditions. Annual catch limit: Set at 8,278 tonnes in Recorded catch: Reported landings of 5236 tonnes in ,. Stock trends: Unknown as stock size undergoes high natural variability. East Coast South Island (RCO3) biomass index was at its lowest recorded level. West Coast South Island (RCO7) index was around its highest level, but with high uncertainty. For both RCO3 and RCO7 there is a strong correlation between recruitment and environmental variables with a periodic 14 month time lag. However, its predictive power of the environment-abundance model was more accurate for RCO7. (MFish 2007, p ). MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: RCO 1 and RCO 2: it is not known if the current TACCs [total allowable commercial catches] and recent catch levels are sustainable or if they are at levels that will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the MSY *maximum sustainable yield+. RCO3: Both catch and survey biomass have declined substantially since the mid 1990s. Biomass estimates from the recently re-instated winter East Coast South Island since 2007 confirm that biomass is low relative to the 1990s. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 111

117 RCO7: Biomass indices have been increasing from a series low in 2000, with the current 2009 index above the longterm mean. Based on the broad size composition in the survey, high biomass levels are expected to persist in the short-term. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Trawling, mainly bottom trawling Habitat damage: Trawling damages deepwater marine communities and species. Bycatch: Inshore trawling for red cod poses a risk to threatened Hector s dolphins. Restrictions on trawling in areas where the dolphins are found, introduced by the Ministry of Fisheries in May 2008, have significantly reduced this threat. However, the risk of dolphin captures may still exist where red cod fishing continues to overlap with dolphin areas outside these closures. Non-target fish species caught include stargazer, red gurnard, elephant fish, rig and school shark. Ecological effects: Changes in seafloor communities from bottom trawling and possible impacts on marine food web dynamics due to impacts on ecosystems, plus species diversity and abundance. Management and management unit (score D and B) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative assessment for RCO 3 and 7 in 1999, but nothing for other areas. These assessments are too old to be accepted. No current directed research. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: John Dory to Red Cod.. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 112

118 Red gurnard Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Chelidonichthys kumu kumukumu, puuwhaiau (Maori), gurnard, latchet (Asia), grondin rouge (France), houbou (Japan) Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: This distinctive fish is widespread around New Zealand on sand and sandy shell seabeds. It is a major bycatch in inshore trawl fisheries for red cod, flatfish and jack mackerel, and is directly targeted in some areas including by longline and set net. Ecological concerns: Globally threatened Hector s dolphins have been caught in the associated red cod east coast South Island trawl fishery. Restrictions on trawling introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching these dolphins. However, dolphins outside closed areas are still at risk and a pending court ruling may reopen areas to trawling. Trawling also catches non-target fish and, when fished at the bottom or using bottom trawl gear, causes considerable damage to seabed habitats and ecosystems. Also of concern is the absence of recent directed research on red gurnard and lack of current stock assessments, the inclusion of several stocks in one quota management area and the lack of a management plan. Economic value: Export value of about $1 million mainly to Japan (in 2008). Best option: Red gurnard caught by longline or by trawling in areas where there is minimal risk to Hector s dolphins (e.g. east coast North Island). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Widespread around New Zealand on sand and sandy shell seabeds to a depth of 150m. Maximum age (years): 16 Age at sexual maturity: 2-3 Growth rate: medium to high. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown for all stocks. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 5181 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 3,789 tonnes in , the lowest in eight years. Stock trends: Unknown for most areas estimates of current and reference absolute biomass are not available. Red gurnard are relatively short-lived and exhibit strong interannual fluctuations GUR3 likely to have increased since the mid-1990s, declining trend in GUR1 in Northern West Coast and East Coast catch rates. Catches are well below the limits in GUR1 and 8. MSY Status: Unknown. The TACCs were based on the highest historic catches in each fishery.. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Red gurnard are relatively short-lived and reasonably productive. [and] exhibit strong interannual fluctuations. GUR1: GUR is considered to be a single stock with three substocks.: [This fishery]... has a long history, it is not possible to infer stock status from abundance trends from only the last 20 years. The abundance of all three substocks appears to be cyclical, probably in response to recruitment variation, and in at least two sub-stocks [1W and 1E] trends are currently downward. This makes it difficult to predict future trends without recruitment information. Given that the catch levels observed over the last 23 years have been relatively consistent (averaging 1100 t for all of GUR 1) and that red gurnard are mainly taken as bycatch, current catch is unlikely to affect the long-term viability of Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 113

119 this stock. As the TACC is substantially higher than the current catch, it is not possible to evaluate catches at the level of the TACC. GUR2: CPUE analyses suggest that GUR2 abundance remained fairly stable between 1989/90 and 2004/05. Reported landings were also reasonably stable during this period... These results suggest that catches in this time period and the TACC are probably sustainable, at least in the short-term. GUR3: Red gurnard... were at apparent low levels in the mid-1990s. Stock size appears to have increased substantially since then and commercial fishers indicate that they find it difficult to stay within the TACC despite the low level of targeting on this species. Two independent CPUE series and the trawl survey corroborate that stock size for GUR 3 has increased since the late 1990s. GUR 7: The West Coast South Island trawl survey relative biomass index declined from 1995 to 2000 and has increased steadily from 2003 to the highest level in the series in 2009, the 2009 estimate is preliminary. Recent catches and the TACC are probably sustainable, at least in the short-term. Quantitative stock projections are unavailable. GUR 8: It is not known if recent catch levels and the current TACCs *total allowable commercial catches+ are sustainable. (MFish 2011 p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and C) Fishing method: Mainly trawling, but also longline and set net. Habitat damage: Trawling for red gurnard uses bottom trawl gear, which damages seafloor habitats and communities. Bycatch: Trawling and set netting for gurnard poses a risk to threatened Hector s dolphins, particularly in the east coast South Island trawl fishery, where they have been killed. Restrictions on trawling in areas where the dolphins are found, introduced by the Ministry of Fisheries in May 2008, have significantly reduced this threat. However, fishing in areas outside these colures still poses some risk of catching the dolphins. Non-target fish species caught include stargazer, red gurnard, elephant fish, rig and school shark. Ecological effects: Changes in seafloor communities from bottom trawling and possible impacts on marine food web dynamics due to impacts on ecosystems, plus species diversity. Management and management unit (score D and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: The only quantitative stock assessment is in QMA 1 in This assessment is too old to be accepted by the MFish stock assessment working group. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 114

120 Red snapper Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Centroberyx affinis kaorea (Maori), golden snapper, red fish (Australia and US). Trevally or Tarakihi or Kingfish Description: Red snapper is a schooling fish, related to alfonsino, found around the coast of northern New Zealand from depths of 10 to 400m. It is mostly caught as a bycatch in the longline fishery for snapper (an unrelated species despite the name) off the East Coast of Northland, in the tarakihi trawl fishery around Northland. It is also caught in the set net fishery for snapper and trevally in the Bay of Plenty.? Ecological concerns: Little is known about the biology of red snapper and there is considerable uncertainty about whether separate stocks exist, stock boundaries and the state of the stocks due to the lack of a stock assessment. Also of concern is the bycatch of sharks and seabirds in longline fisheries, impacts on seabed ecology from trawling, non target fish bycatch and the lack of a management plan. Economic value: Red snapper are mainly sold on the domestic market. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Red snapper are widespread around the coast northern of New Zealand and are found at depths of 10 to 400m. Thy are caught mainly around Northland and in the Bay of Plenty. Maximum age (years): 40 Age at sexual maturity:? Growth rate: Low? Reproductive output: Low? Age exploited:? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. There is also no research to determine if there are separate biological stocks. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 145 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 31 tonnes in , the lowest catch in over 20 years and well below the peak catch of 211 tonnes in Stock trends: Uncertain. MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: The reference or current biomass is not known for any red snapper stock. It is not known if the recent catch levels are sustainable. The status of RSN 1, 2 and 10 relative to B MSY is unknown. (Ministry of Fisheries 2011, p816). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and C) Fishing method: longline fishery off the East Coast of Northland, trawl fishery around Northland and set net fishery in the Bay of Plenty. Habitat damage: Low for longline and set net fisheries, high for bottom trawling. Bycatch: Sharks and seabirds are caught in the longline fishery and a variety of non-target fish are caught by trawl and set net fisheries. Ecological effects: Wasteful removal of non-target species from the marine ecosystem and damage to bottom dwelling species and habitats caused by trawling. Management and management unit (score E and D) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits: Yes. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 115

121 Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 116

122 Ribaldo Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Mora moro Deepsea cod, googly-eyed cod, white cod, mora Blue cod E (Red - Avoid)? Description: This deep-sea relative of red cod occurs around New Zealand and southern Australia at depths of 200 to 1,300m. It is most common between 500m and 1,000m and is caught on bottom longlines and as a bycatch of deepwater trawling and longlining. In recent years, most of the catch comes from longlining for ling, but historically, from the late 1970s to 1990, it was a bycatch from target trawling for hoki, orange roughy and ling. Ecological concerns: The bycatch of seabirds in the longline fishery, the bycatch of NZ fur seals and seabirds associated with trawl caught ribald and the impact of bottom trawling on seabed communities. Also of concern is the absence of directed research and a quantitative stock assessment, the lack of basic biological information on ribaldo, the unknown sustainability of recent catches and the commercial catch limit plus the lack of a management plan. Economic value: Ribaldo are sold in New Zealand and Australia. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Occurs around New Zealand and is moderately common around the South Island at depths of 200 1,300m. It is most common between 500 1,000m. Maximum age (years): 39+. Age at sexual maturity: Unknown. Growth rate: low Reproductive output: medium Size/age exploited: Unknown. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1,664 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 755 tonnes for , which was the lowest in 16 years. Stock trends: Unknown - total reported landings have increased since but are now less than half the peak catch of MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: There are no accepted stock monitoring indices available for RIB1, 2, 7, 8 & 9. RIB 3&4: (Canterbury and Chatham Rise) and RIB 5&6 (Southland and Sub-Antarctic): Stock size is likely to remain near current levels under current catches. (MFish, 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and D) Fishing method(s): Trawl and longline most catch since 1990 is bycatch from ling longlining. Habitat damage: Minimal impact from longlining. When caught by bottom trawl, deepwater habitats and associated communities are damaged. Bycatch: Same bycatch as in the ling longline fishery - vulnerable seabirds and deepwater shark species. (See ling for more information on bycatch species associated with ribaldo catches.) When caught in the orange roughy and hoki fisheries, a wider range of species are caught as bycatch, including NZ fur seals and seafloor invertebrates. Ecological effects: As a bycatch species in the ling fishery, this fish is associated with impacts on vulnerable seabird species and removal of a range of non-target fish from marine food webs. When caught by trawling, it is associated with significant alterations to deepwater ecosystem and species diversity. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 117

123 Management and management unit (score E and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 118

124 Rig / Lemonfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Mustelus lenticulatus Pioke, Makoo (Maori), spotted dogfish, smoothhound, spotted estuary smooth-hound, gummy shark, hoshizame (Japan). No alternative Description: This small species of shark is a popular fish and chip fish (especially in Northern New Zealand). It has moderately fast growth and reproductive rates that make it less prone to overfishing than most shark species. Rig is found around New Zealand, usually in waters no more than 200m deep. It is caught in very long bottom set nets and in trawl nets, with a proportion also caught as bycatch in other targeted trawl fisheries. Ecological concerns: The rig fishery is notorious for posing a significant threat to globally threatened Hector s and Maui s dolphins, where they have been caught and killed in nets (especially set nets). Set nets and inshore trawling are also responsible for the bycatch of other dolphins, fur seals and seabirds. Restrictions on set netting and trawling introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching these endangered dolphins and other bycatch species. Other concerns with the rig fishery include the limited research on it, the lack of quantitative stock assessments, unknown sustainability of some catch levels and limits (with declines in some stocks) and the lack of a comprehensive management plan. There are also concerns about seabed damage caused by trawling. Economic value: Rig is sold in New Zealand and Australia, with exports of about $2.5 m. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Common in coastal waters, especially shallow bays around New Zealand with adults out to 200m. Maximum age (years): 20+ (uncertain). Age at sexual maturity: 4-8 Growth rate: Moderately fast. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - no estimates of current and reference biomass are available. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 1919 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1262 tonnes in are the second lowest in nearly 20 years and are well under half the annual landings reported in the early 1980s, which peaked at 3,826 tonnes in Stock trends: Uncertain, but declines in catches in SPO 1 West (north west North Island), SPO7 (West coast and top of the South Island), and SPO 8 (south west North Island). The SPO 7 (Tasman Bay/Golden Bay) catch rates have declined by over 70% in the last 15 years, while a decline of over 50% was recorded in the West Coast South Island trawl survey between 1995 and MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current or reference biomass are available. SPO 1: reported landings have consistently declined since As there is currently no accepted index of abundance for SPO 1, it is not known whether current catches or the TACC will cause the stock to decline. SPO2, 3, and 8: While current catches are unlikely to cause the stock to decline below the hard limit [10%Bo], it is unknown whether they will cause it to decline below the soft limit [20%Bo]. For SPO7: The... stock was assessed in 2006 to be very likely to be below B MSY but has since increased. The stock is Unlikely to be above the target. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 119

125 (MFish, 2011, p ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method(s): Trawling and bottom set nets, as well as bycatch in other trawl fisheries. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling damages seafloor habitats and associated communities. Bycatch: Globally threatened Maui s and Hector s dolphins are caught in set net fisheries, which also catch other marine mammals, seabirds and non-target fish. Trawling also poses a risk to these endangered dolphins. Restrictions on set netting and trawling in areas where the dolphins are found were introduced in May These have significantly reduced the threat to marine mammals and other wildlife, however, captures may still exist where fishing overlaps with dolphin areas outside these closures. Juvenile rig are also caught in harbours. Ecological effects: Changes to species diversity and disruption of ecological systems. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species but the boundaries between biological stocks are poorly defined especially in the Cook Strait. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. A preliminary assessment exists for SPO7. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 120

126 Rock lobster / crayfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Jasus edwardsii koura, matapara, matapuku (Maori), crayfish, red crayfish, red rock lobster, spiny rock lobster, southern rock lobster (Australia / US), langouste (France), ise-ebi (Japan). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Rock lobster is found throughout New Zealand coastal waters living in and around rocky reefs at depths of 5 to 275m. Rock lobster are caught year round and the fishery is New Zealand s third largest seafood export earner. In addition to an annual quota, there are size restrictions in place to protect juveniles and egg carrying females.? Ecological concerns: The depleted state of some stocks, the Gisborne stock in particular, which is half of the legally required population size, and the unknown status of some other stocks. While some stocks are recovering, they are still well below original levels. Also of concern is the increasing uncertainty of annual catch levels in the medium-term and the lack of a management plan. Cray potting is a relatively harmless fishing method, but it can have impacts on marine mammals, seabirds and sensitive seabed habitats. Economic value: Over 90% is exported "live" to Asian markets (Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong). Exports were worth $213 million in Best option: The best option is to buy rock lobster that have not been caught from the Gisborne area or from the southern South Island region. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Rock lobster is found along most rocky coastlines in New Zealand, but is more abundant around the south of the South Island and the Chatham Islands. Maximum age (years): Thought to be long-lived (40+). Age at sexual maturity: 3-12 Growth rate: Thought to be slow growing. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 5-11 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Stocks are well below estimated 1950s population levels. Several stocks have high exploitation rates, which means they rely on few year classes and are susceptible to periods of low recruitment (possibly recruitment overfished). Annual catch limit: Limit set at 2,792.8 tonnes in Recorded catch: Reported landings of tonnes in Stock trends: Variable declines in some northern and southern areas over the last 10 years but some increases in central NZ (CRA 4 and 5) over the last 10 years. CRA 3 (Gisborne area) is estimated at half B MSY. MSY Status: Depleted stocks in several areas in particular CRA3 and CRA 7. There is no reference to unfished stock size (B 0 ) or sustainable yield (B MSY ) in most of the assessments. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Northland (CRA1): Biomass in 2002 was 150% of Bref. Standardised CPUE increased steadily between 2003 and 2008, but dropped 30% between 2008 and Auckland-Bay of Plenty (CRA 2): Biomass in 2002 was 150% of Bref. Standardised CPUE dropped to below 0.5kg/potlift in 2002 from a peak year in and CPUE in 2010 is the lowest since the escape gap regulations changed in Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 121

127 Gisborne (CRA 3): biomass in 2008 was about half B MSY. 5 year forward projections in 2009 under 2008 levels of commercial, customary, non-commercial and illegal catches showed that the stock would decrease by 25%. Wairarapa-Wellington (CRA 4) Biomass in 2010 was about 1.7 times Bref.. [and}4-year forward projections...showed that the stock would decrease but remain well above Bref. Biomass decreased in two steps from a peak in 1997 to a low in 2007 but has increased over the three most recent years to a level similar to that observed in Recent average puerulus settlement index is low relative to the long-term (32 year) mean index. Marlborough-Canterbury (CRA5): B2009 equals 3.0 times Bref [and] 5 year forward projections...show the biomass would decrease, but remain well above Bref and Bmsy... CPUE dropped 10% in 2010 from 2009, the highest level observed in the 32 year series after a short period of decline in the mid-2000s. The 2009 puerulus (settlement) index is about 1/3 average. Chatham Islands (CRA 6) stock assessment was done in The status of the stock is uncertain. CRA 7 and 8: The model results of CPUE in CRA8 in 2006 was well above the target set for the rebuilt stock...in 2011 the management procedure for CRA7 proposed a decrease in the TAC.. (Ministry of Fisheries 2008, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and C) Fishing method: Cray pots (often large, heavy and baited), which are dropped down to the seafloor to depths of 200m. Habitat damage: Minimal, but when carried out over sensitive habitats, may damage seafloor species. Long-lived, slow growing soft corals are broken when large heavy baited pots are dropped onto them in the deep waters of Fiordland. Bycatch: Globally threatened Chatham Island shags, Hector s dolphins and sperm whales are known to drown when they get entangled on pot lines, for instance near Kaikoura. Ecological effects: Rock lobster is a generalist predator, so their depletion affects a range of species including kina. Fishing in sensitive areas may also alter seafloor community composition and diversity. Management and management unit (score B and A) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No, but since 1992 there has been very good management forums operating in different regions, where the commercial and recreational fishers are working on the state of the fishery. There is mixed success, with some forums failing to protect stocks (e.g. Gisborne area). Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments for all areas except CRA 9, with half of the assessments being 5 or more years old CRA 1 and CRA 2 (2002); CRA 3 (2008), CRA 4 (2011), CRA 5 (2010), CRA 6 (1996), CRA 7 and 8 (2006). References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Sullivan (Comp), Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; MFish Starfish web pages 2004; SeaFIC website 2004; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 122

128 Rubyfish Scientific name: Plagiogeneion rubiginosum Other names: Rock salmon (South Africa) Alternative Choice: No alternative Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: This very long-lived (90 years or more), slow growing fish is found from mid-to-deepwater, where they school over the seafloor and off deepwater banks and reefs. Normally a southern ocean species, in New Zealand rubyfish prefer the warmer northern and central waters and are most common at depths of 200 to 400m. Rubyfish are caught throughout the year, mainly as bycatch in trawl fisheries for alfonsino, gemfish, barracouta, hoki and jack mackerel. There is also a developing target trawl fishery. At least a third of recent annual catches were from targeted mid-water trawling fished close to the bottom.? Ecological concerns: The lack of some basic biological information about rubyfish, the absence of directed research, the lack of a quantitative stock assessment and, as a result, the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels. Also of concern is the recent decline in landings off the east coast of the North Island and the lack of a management plan. Non-target fish bycatch (including marine mammals and seabirds) and trawl impact on seabed communities are also of concern. Economic value: Rubyfish are exported to Europe and Asia. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score E) Distribution: Rubyfish are found in the southern oceans from South Africa to Australasia. Here, they are found in sub-tropical waters around northern and central New Zealand at depths ranging from 50 to 800m, but absent from the southern Chatham Rise and Campbell Plateau. Maximum age (years): 45+ Age at sexual maturity: 7 (uncertain) Growth rate: Slow. Reproductive output: Low. Age exploited: 7 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 800 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 677 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current or reference biomass are available. RBY1: In 2002 the stock [was assessed as] lightly fished [and] it seems likely that the stock is above B MSY. RBY2: Most of the current RBY catch comes from QMA 2. It is not known whether the level of recent commercial catches in this QMA is sustainable. The status of RBY 2 relative to B MSY is unknown. RBY other areas: it is not known if recent catches are sustainable...the status of other RBY stocks relative to B MSY is unknown. (MFish, 2011, p856). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and C) Fishing method: Mainly caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries (alfonsino, gemfish, barracouta, hoki and jack mackerel) and targeted by mid-water trawling where the gear is usually fished close to the bottom. Habitat damage: Trawling on seamount features, close to or on the seabed, can cause significant damage to habitats and associated communities. Bycatch: As a bycatch species, rubyfish are associated with a range of non-target fish, including quota management system species (e.g. tarakihi, silver warehou, gemfish and ling) and the captures of seabirds and marine mammals. (See alfonsino, gemfish, barracouta, hoki and jack mackerel fisheries for associated bycatch.) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 123

129 Ecological effects: Disruption to marine webs by the removal of a wide range of fish species, and destruction of deep water ecosystems and species when fishing occurs on or close to the seafloor. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 124

130 Scallops Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Pecten novaezealandiae kuakua, pure, tipai, tupa (Maori), coquille saint-jacques de Nouvelle- Zealande (France), hotatega (Japan). Cockles E (Red - Avoid) Description: This is the larger and shallower distributed of two scallop species in New Zealand. It is found on the seafloor in sandy or muddy habitats of sheltered bays, from the low tide mark down to about 50m water depth. The main commercial fisheries are in the Nelson-Marlborough region, with other fisheries off Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and around the Chatham Islands. They are harvested before they spawn by dredging. The scallop dredge fishery in the Nelson-Marlborough region is currently seeking environmental certification under an international body - the Marine Stewardship Council. Ecological concerns: Dredging is a highly destructive fishing method that digs into and is dragged along the seafloor. It results in a high bycatch of many non-target species, including fish and invertebrates. It causes incidental damage to scallops (as much as 50% of those not caught) and dramatically alters seabed ecology and associated species assemblages, including high biodiversity habitat (e.g. Spirits Bay and Tom Bowling Bay). Also of concern is the unknown sustainability of current catch levels and limits, variations in stock sizes depending on survey timing and fishing season plus the absence of a management plan. Economic value: Most are exported to France, with an export value of falling to $0.783 million in 2010 markedly, down from $14.6 million in Coromandel scallops are sold in New Zealand. Best option: Collected by hand not dredge ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: These scallops are an endemic species found all around New Zealand, but especially in bays m deep. Maximum age (years): 6-7 Age at sexual maturity: 2 Growth rate: Relatively high but variable between areas and years, and generally decreasing with depth. Reproductive output: High to very high. Age exploited: 2-3 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Scallop population sizes are naturally variable between areas and years. Annual catch limit: Annual catch limits are variable between areas and years, with a minimum TACC set for Northland and Coromandel. Total catch limit was 895 tonnes meat weight. Recorded catch: The total catch in was 121 tonnes meat weight with about 70% coming from top of the South Island. Stock trends: Variable but greatly depleted - The Northland fisheries has barely operated and there has been no assessment since Coromandel stocks are in decline since a peak in especially around the Mercury Islands. In the southern fisheries there has been little recovery, with Tasman Bay reaching its lowest level in 10 years at 1% of 1998 levels. MSY Status: Latest published data suggest a recovery in the Northern fisheries after substantial declines in the late 1990 s and early 2000 s. The southern fishery has declined since 2007 and Tasman Bay in 2008 reaching 3% of it 2002 levels. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 125

131 The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: For the Chatham Islands (SCA4), It is not known if current TACCs [total allowable commercial catches] and catch levels are sustainable or will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support the MSY *maximum sustainable yield+. For the Nelson/Marlborough (SCA7): The current status of the SCA 7 stock is the lowest recorded since extensive (fishery-wide) surveys began in Likely to be below the hard limit (10%Bo) for Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. In contrast biomass in the Marlborough Sounds has remained relatively stable [since 1990s], although there is some evidence of decline since For northern stocks: Northland The recent (2008 to present) trend in biomass is unknown. Catch in was the lowest on record. Coromandel Unlikely to be below the soft (20%Bo) and the hard limit (10%Bo). There has been a recent trend of decreasing biomass from the peak in 2005 to the 2009 estimate.. but this downward trend appears to have stalled in (Brown and Horn Ministry of Fisheries, 2011, pp , , and ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Dredging at depths of m (85 m at the Chatham Islands). Habitat damage: Dredging bulldozes the seabed and removes a range of non-target species including horse mussels, bryozoans and sponges. It also kills up to 50% of the scallops that are not caught. The sponge garden area of high biodiversity in Spirits Bay and Tom Bowling Bay was destroyed by scallop dredging in the 1990 s. Bycatch: Non-target shellfish species and other invertebrates, seaweed, plus occasional benthic fish (e.g., stargazers). A bycatch survey in the Coromandel fishery showed that live scallops represented 26 percent of the catch and 55 percent of live material. Ecological effects: Dredging dramatically alters seabed ecology, reduces habitat variability and species diversity, and removes sensitive species such as horse mussels. Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, for all areas since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No, but most stocks are supposed to be managed on a current annual yield basis (i.e., catch limits are varied in accordance with survey results each year), however, surveys are not always annual. In 2009, the Southern Scallop Enhancement Company applied for environmental certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (and international body that assesses and awards sustainable fisheries certifications). This process may lead to the development of a formalised plan. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment based on surveys for most areas apart from Chatham Islands (2005). References: Survey of scallops and oysters in Golden Bay, Tasman Bay, and the Marlborough Sounds, May Brown S and Horn P L June NIWA. An appraisal of an in-season depletion method of estimating biomass and yield in the Coromandel scallop fishery, M Cryer, NZ Fisheries Assessment Report 2001/8, NIWA, April 2001; Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 126

132 Scampi Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Metanephrops challengeri kourarangi (Maori), NZ scampi, kaisersgranat (Germany), langoustinede-nz (France), akaza-ebi (Japan). Rock lobster Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: This is the largest prawn-like species found in New Zealand waters, although it is actually a small lobster. It is found all around New Zealand at depths of 200 to 750m. The commercial fishery is now under the quota management system after some controversy over allocation of quota. It is caught using specialised deepwater bottom trawls, with fine mesh nets. Ecological concerns: due to the fishing method, there is a high level of bycatch of fish, invertebrates, marine mammal and seabirds. There is also considerable destruction to seabed habitats, species and associated marine life. Also of concern is the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels and limits in all of the larger quota management areas, the uncertainty about stock boundaries, and the absence of a management plan. Economic value: Export value of $17.8 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Scampi are widely distributed around New Zealand at depths of m on the continental slope. Maximum age (years): 15 (approx.) Age at sexual maturity: 3-4 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Low to moderate (females carry only a few tens to a very few hundred eggs). Age exploited: 3-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown other than for areas subject to underwater photographic surveys in the Bay of Plenty. Annual catch limit: Total catch limit of 1,291 tonnes set in This has been reduced to 1191 tonnes from 1 October Recorded catch: Reported landings of 686 tonnes in Stock trends: Declining catch rates (CPUE) in SCI1, SCI2, SCI3, SCI4A, and SCI6A. Scampi 6A (Auckland Islands) had its lowest catches for nearly 20 years. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: SCI1 (Bay of Plenty/Northland): Likely to be above target biomass. Catches and stock abundance appear to have remained relatively stable in recent years, suggesting that exploitation rates have been relatively stable. SCI2 (East Coast North Island): Likely to be above target biomass. Biomass is projected to decline below the target with recent average catches, suggesting that exploitation rates are too high. Under recent recruitment scenario that stock is predicted to decline... to 17%Bo if the current TACC of 200 tonnes is used. SCI 3 and 6A (Chatham Rise and Auckland Islands): no accepted assessments. SCI3 CPUE, trawl survey and photo survey data suggest the stock declined between 2001 and 2009 but increased in SCI 6A: CPUE data suggest the stock may have declined in the early years of the fishery, but has since remained relatively stable since the mid- 1990s. There are no other yield estimates. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 127

133 Fishing method: Bottom trawling with fine mesh gear. Habitat damage: Trawling for scampi has significant adverse impacts on seafloor habitats as it scrapes the seabed, impacting a range of non-target species. In the Bay of Plenty, over 1,100 km 2 is swept by trawlers each year, which is one of the smaller scampi fisheries (Cryer et al, 2002). Bycatch: There is a high level of a range of quota and non-quota species caught in scampi trawls (up to five times the target catch), including ling, hoki, sea perch, red cod, silver warehou and giant stargazer. Around the Auckland Islands, threatened NZ sea lions are caught as well as observed captures of globally threatened black-browed, Salvin s and white-capped (shy) albatrosses, plus sooty and flesh-footed shearwaters. Ecological effects: Scampi trawling causes significant disruption to seabed species assemblages reduces deepwater biodiversity and modifies the structure of marine communities. Management and management unit (score C and B) Quota Management Species: Introduced on 1 October in Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: First quantitative assessments accepted for SCI1 and 2. Assessments have yet to be accepted for SCI3 and SCI 6A. No completed quantitative assessment for other areas. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd.; Cryer, Hartill & O Shea Ecological Applications 12: Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 128

134 School shark Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Galeorhinus galeus makohuarau (Maori), grey shark, greyboy, tope, flake, milandre (France), eirakubuka, mejirozame (Japan). No alternative Description: School shark, is a long-lived and slow growing species that is late to mature. This means the fishery has low overall productivity and, as with most other sharks, the species is highly vulnerable to fishing pressure. Like rig, it is sold as a fish and chip option. It is widespread throughout the coastal waters of New Zealand, but is particularly abundant in the north at depths of at least 200m. It is caught throughout the year, mainly by set netting. Ecological concerns: The school sharks fishery poses a threat to globally endangered Hector s and Maui s dolphins, which may be caught and killed in nets (particularly set nets) and risks catching other marine mammals, seabirds and non-target fish. Trawling for schools shark may also impact seabed habitats. Restrictions on set netting and trawling introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching endangered dolphins and other bycatch species. However, offshore fishing outside the closed areas still poses a significant risk plus. Other concerns include the uncertainty about basic biological information on school sharks, the decline in West Coast South Island and Southland catch rates; the absence of quantitative stock assessments and consequently the unknown sustainability of current catch levels and limits. Lack of information on the size and sex composition of the catch and the lack of a management plan are additional concerns. Whilst there is no management plan for school sharks, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for school sharks, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. Economic value: School shark is sold for the New Zealand fish and chip market and is exported to main markets in Australia, fetching $6.15m in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Found throughout New Zealand coastal waters, although it is more common in the north. Prefers the shallower waters of the continental shelf, but is known to at least 200m. Maximum age (years): 50+ Age at sexual maturity: Growth rate: Slow. Reproductive output: Low. Age exploited: 10? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Set at 3,437 tonnes in Recorded catch: Reported landings of 3,268 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. Catches have been steadily increasing following historical declines in catch. However, there is a lack of information on sex and size composition of catches. Catch rates show different trends between quota areas with declines on West Coast South Island and Southland. This area represents over 40 percent of the catch and has the largest females which are crucial for species productivity. MSY Status: Status of stocks relative to Bmsy is unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Estimates of current or reference biomass are not available. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 129

135 SCH 1E, 2, 3 (East Coast north Island and Canterbury): Stock size is Likely to remain near current levels or increase under current catches and TACCs. SCH 1W, 8 (West Coast North Island): Stock size is Likely to remain near current levels under current catches and TACCs. SCH 5&7: (West Coast South Island, Southland) Stock size is Likely to decline under current catches and TACCs. SCH 5 and 7 have accounted for 41% of the SCH catch over the past 20 years, and are the areas in which the largest females are caught. SCH 1E, 2 and 3, have accounted for 26% of the SCH catch over the past 20 years. Areas 1W and 8 have accounted for 30% of the catch. SCH 4: The status... relative to B MSY is unknown. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method(s): Set netting, trawling and lining, with some also caught by tuna longliners well offshore. Habitat damage: Trawling damages seafloor habitats. Bycatch: Juvenile school sharks are caught in harbour set nets and there is a risk of catching endangered Hector s dolphins, other marine mammals, seabirds and non-target fish. Restrictions on set netting and trawling in areas where Hector s dolphins are found were introduced in May These have significantly reduced the threat to marine mammals and other wildlife, however, captures may still exist outside these closures. Ecological effects: Changes to bottom dwelling species diversity as a result of trawling and alteration of coastal food web dynamics due to removal of this predatory species from the population. Management and management unit (score D and B) Quota management species: Yes since 1986 Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 130

136 Sea perch Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Helicolenus percoides matuawhapuku, pohuikaroa, puaihakua (Maori), jock stewart, scarpee, deepsea perch, ocean perch. Blue cod E (Red - Avoid) Description: Sea perch is a relatively slow growing, long-lived fish (up to 45 years) that is related to scorpionfish. It is widely distributed around New Zealand, ranging from just a few metres water depth to very deep waters (1200m). It is mostly caught as bycatch in red cod and hoki trawl fisheries off the east coast of the South Island, including the Chatham Rise. A small targeted catch comes from some central and southern line fisheries, including the groper fishery and a small bycatch comes from bottom longlining.? Ecological concerns: The lack of a quantitative stock assessment, the unknown sustainability of current catch levels (particularly given it is a long-lived species) and the lack of a management plan. Also of concern are the destructive impacts of bottom trawling on fragile deepwater habitats and species and the capture of non-target fish, seabirds and marine mammals associated with other fisheries. Economic value: Sea perch are sold in New Zealand and exported to Australia, Japan and Korea at a value of $1million (in 2008). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Sea perch occurs widely around New Zealand at depths of just a few metres to 1,200m, but is most common around the South Island. Maximum age (years): 43 Age at sexual maturity: 5-7. Growth rate: Relatively slow. Reproductive output: Low. Size/age exploited: 20-30cm or 5-20 years old. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 2,170 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1,016 tonnes in , around 75% as bycatch in trawl fisheries - the second lowest catch in 15 years. Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current or reference biomass are available. For all fish stocks, it is not known if recent catch levels are sustainable. (MFish 2011, p925). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method(s): Sea perch is caught as a bycatch species by trawl and line vessels (mainly in red cod, hoki, barracouta and flatfish fisheries). Habitat damage: When caught as part of bottom trawling, there are impacts on sea floor habitats and bottom dwelling species. Bycatch: Sea perch is associated with the bycatch of red cod, hoki, barracouta and flatfish fisheries. The bycatch in these fisheries includes marine mammals, seabirds and a wide range of non-target fish species (see bycatch report for these fisheries for more information). Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 131

137 Ecological effects: Due to the broad range of non-target bycatch associated with sea perch catches, there is likely to be multiple disturbances to marine food web dynamics. There is also disturbance to bottom dwelling species and diversity as a result of bottom trawling. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Management component: Single species stock structure and boundaries is not known. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 132

138 Silver warehou Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Seriolella punctata warehou hiriwa (Maori), spotted warehou. Trevally or Tarakihi Description: Like the white warehou, silver warehou are a deeper ranging warehou species than the blue warehou, living off the continental shelf edge and its upper slope. It is mostly caught from the Chatham Rise (their major spawning ground), Canterbury Bight, southeast of Stewart Island and the west coast of the South Island at depths of m.? Ecological concerns: The absence of a quantitative stock assessment, resulting in the unknown sustainability of current catch levels and limits, the lack of current or reference biomass estimates and the uncertainty about stock boundaries. Also of concern is the overfishing of current catch limits, problems associated with the past mis-reporting of silver warehou as white warehou and the lack of a management plan. Trawling impacts on seabed habitats and communities is also of concern, as is seabird, marine mammal and nontarget fish bycatch associated the fisheries in which this species is caught. Economic value: Export value of about $22 million in 2009, with the main market being Japan. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Found mainly on the Chatham Rise (with the major spawning are on the western Chatham Rise), outer Canterbury Bight, South Island west coast and the shelf south east of Stewart Island at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 23 Age at sexual maturity: 3-4 Growth rate: Relatively fast to mature. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Age exploited: 3-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown no estimates of reference current absolute biomass are available. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 10,380 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 7,078 tonnes in which is lowest reported catch in nearly 20 years. Stock trends: Unknown recent catch rates in SWA1 (all waters off the North Island, West Coast and top of the South Island) is well under half historic average levels. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current or reference biomass are available. SWA1: Catch curve analyses indicate that the average exploitation rate on silver warehou in the WCSI hoki fishery is probably less than the natural mortality rate, indicating that the stock is not being overfished. Annual catches have averaged 1480 t and catches at this level are likely sustainable in the short to medium term. However, it is not known whether catches at the level of the TACC (3000 tonnes) are sustainable. The state of the stock in relation to B MSY is unknown. SWA3 and 4: The sustainability of current TACCs and recent catch levels for these Fishstocks is not known, and it is not known if they will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. (MFish 2011, p935). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and D) Fishing method: Trawling caught as a bycatch in hoki, arrow squid, barracouta and jack mackerel fisheries. Habitat damage: Impact of trawling on bottom dwelling species and associated communities. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 133

139 Bycatch: As silver warehou is caught in other target fisheries, it is associated with a wide range of non target catch, including marine mammals, seabirds and non-target fish. (See hoki, arrow squid, barracouta and jack mackerel for more information.) Ecological effects: Alteration of seafloor species and associated diversity due to trawling, plus removal of a range of fish from the system. Management and management unit (score D and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 134

140 Skates Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Zearaja nasutus (Rough skate), Dipturus innominatus (Smooth skate). manumanu, pakaurua, uku, waewae, whai (Maori), barndoor skate (NZ), suei, gangiei (Japan), gaori (Korea). No alternative Description: Skates are very closely related to sharks and are members of the cartilaginous fishes group (they have no bones). They are very distinctive, with flattened, wing-like bodies, and occur all around New Zealand from coastal waters to depths of about 200m. There are two species of skate commonly caught in our commercial fisheries rough skate and smooth skate, the latter more common in deeper waters, living longer and growing larger. They are caught as a bycatch species in trawl nets and on lines across a number of fisheries in multiple management areas, each as a separate quota management species with different quota areas. The largest quota area for both species extends from the coast of Fiordland out and round to just north of Kaikoura and including the Chatham Islands (QMA 3), accounts for more landings than all others combined.? Ecological concerns: The limited research on skates and absence of basic biological information on each skate species, the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels in QMA 3 or the total quota area, the lack of a quantitative stock assessment and detailed management plan. Also of concern are the impacts on deepwater habitats as a result of trawling and the bycatch of marine mammals, seabirds and nontarget fish in other fisheries where skates are caught as bycatch. Whilst there is no detailed management plan for skates, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for skates, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. Skates are finned at sea. Economic value: Exports of around $0.6 m (in 2008) to Asia and Europe, especially France and Italy. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Both of these endemic species occur all around New Zealand. Rough skate is more common in coastal waters while smooth skate is usually found in deeper waters, both extending to 200m water depth. Rough Smooth Maximum age (years): Age at sexual maturity: Growth rate: Unknown Unknown Reproductive output: High Medium Size/age exploited: Unknown Unknown Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: A total quota of 1986 tonnes for rough skate and 849 tonnes for smooth skates was set in Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1,905 tonnes of rough skate and 546 tonnes of smooth skate in Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 135

141 Stock trends: Unknown, but West Coast trawl survey biomass indices declined substantially since 1991 for smooth skate and it also showed a decline rough skates from 2000 but has since increased marginally. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current and reference biomass are available. For rough skate it is Unknown if recent catch levels or the TACC will cause their populations to decline. For smooth skates: SSK 7 relative biomass estimates from West Coast South Island trawl surveys revealed a strong decline. Although this decline is cause for concern, the reason for the decline is uncertain and requires further investigation. For all other skate QMAs it is Unknown if recent catch levels or the TACC will cause skate populations to decline. (MFish 2009, p944 and 953). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method(s): Trawling and on lines. Skates are caught as bycatch in a range of fisheries including hoki. Habitat damage: Trawling damages deepwater habitats and associated seafloor communities. Bycatch: As a bycatch of other fisheries, skates are associated with the captures of non-target fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Ecological effects: The primary effects are those caused by trawling damage to seabed species assemblages, loss of large adult skates and disruption to deepwater food webs. Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: The two species are managed and assessed as separate quota species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 1997: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 136

142 Skipjack tuna Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Katsuwonus pelamis skipjack, bonite (France), tunny (UK), katsuo (Japan). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: This top predator is a highly migratory species of tuna found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, usually preferring the warmer surface waters. New Zealand is the southern limit of the skipjack tuna migration route (which is well known for being very long) where they visit the northeast from December to May, or in later months from New Plymouth to Cape Farewell. Skipjack are predominantly caught by purse seine vessels operating North of New Plymouth and Hawkes Bay. The New Zealand catch is a small part of the Pacific fishery, which is now managed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Ecological concerns: Uncertainty about the state of the stocks, the bycatch of sharks, the bycatch of yellowfin and bigeye tuna in the Pacific fishery, plus the lack of a stock assessment, catch limits or a management plan. Economic value: The main market is for canning outside New Zealand, primarily in Indonesia and Thailand. The export value of skipjack tuna was about $17 million in The export value of all tuna species combined was $38 million in Best option: Skipjack is the second most ecologically sustainable tuna species on the Best Fish Guide. If possible, try to avoid skipjack caught in association with catches of yellowfin and bigeye tuna, which are overfished. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Skipjack tuna are caught on the west and east coasts of the North Islands, mainly north of New Plymouth and Hawkes Bay. Maximum age (years): 12 Age at sexual maturity: 1 Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 1 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: It is not part of the quota management system (QMS) and no catch limits are set for New Zealand. Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings in 2010 of 8,629 tonnes inside the New Zealand zone with another 14,994 tonnes caught by New Zealand flagged purse seine vessels on the high seas. Stock trends: The stock assessment model results suggest a decline in the last 3 years (2008 to 2010) but is still at 65% of unfished levels. MSY Status: Very likely to be above B MSY. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Recent catches are above the MSY level but have been supported by above average recruitment. If recruitment returned to long-term average levels then the current level of catches would reduce the biomass to below Bmsy. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score B and C) Fishing method: Predominantly purse seine fishery around the North Island with some troll caught fish. Habitat damage: Low. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 137

143 Bycatch:.Sometimes skipjack are caught with over-fished small bigeye and yellowfin tuna in the purse seine fishery using Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), which is a concern in the tropical Pacific fishery. Turtle bycatch is a concern in the tropical purse seine fishery. Ecological effects: Excess removal of this and other large predatory species (e.g.tuna) has knock-on effects on the wider food web. Management and management unit (score C and D) Quota Management Species: No. Catch limits: No, nor is there a catch limit or Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ). Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan and operational plan completed but the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: A South Pacific assessment in References: Overview of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries, 2000, A Lewis and P Williams, Oceanic Fisheries Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia, August 2001; National Tuna Fishery Report 2001 New Zealand, T Murray and L Griggs, NIWA; Langley A, Hampton J and Ogura M Stock Assessment of skipjack tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean. SC-1 SA-WP-4. First meeting of the WCPFC-Scientific Committee, Noumea, New Caledonia. Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary,November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries 2010a. National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). 53p. Ministry of Fisheires 2010b. Operational Management Plan for Skipjack Tuna p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 138

144 Snapper Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Pagrus auratus tamure, kourea (Maori), sea bream, bream, schnapper, NZ golden snapper, brim, porgy (US), dorade (France), madai, goushyuumadai (Japan), cham dom (Korea). Tarakihi or Trevally or Kingfish Description: A slow growing, long-lived (up to 60 years) member of the sea bream family, snapper is one of largest and most valuable coastal fisheries in New Zealand. It is common around the North Island and upper South Island and is mainly caught by bottom longlining or trawling operations, generally at depths of metres. Jointly with oreos/deepwater dory, and southern bluefin tuna, snapper have the second worst ecological ranking on the Best Fish Guide of any commercial fishery in New Zealand. Ecological concerns: The depleted status of the stocks (primarily as a result of historical depletion), the management of two stocks as one, the uncertainty in stock assessments for some areas and the lack of a management plan. As snapper are also a common target for recreational fishing, a sector in which there is limited to no assessment of catch, the impacts of the combined recreational and commercial catches are also of concern. The impacts of bottom trawling, the bycatch of seabirds in the longline fishery (including the globally threatened black petrel) and the possible bycatch of the critically endangered Maui s dolphin in the trawl fishery are other concerns. Restrictions on trawling introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching Maui s dolphins. However, offshore fishing outside the closed areas still poses a risk plus, pending the decision of a high court challenge, the risk may return to inshore coastal waters if regulations are dropped. Economic value: Japan is the single largest export market (around 50%), while Australia and Taiwan take some 30% between them. The export value of snapper was about $32 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Mainly in the warmer coastal waters of the northern North Island and the Bay of Plenty, but ranges to the north of the South Island. Maximum age (years): 60 Age at sexual maturity: 3-4 Growth rate: Low. Reproductive output: Low to high. Age exploited: 3-5 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: Depleted in most areas. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 6,357 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 6,230 tonnes in which is well under the peak catches of 17,500 tonnes in the late 1970s.. Stock trends: All stocks appear to be increasing. However, SNA8 (Kapiti coast to Cape Reinga in the North) projections assume a level of recruitment higher than that observed in recent years and may not reach the legally required B MSY level for up to 60 years. The SNA1 stock (Northland to eastern Bay of Plenty) assessment has not been updated since MSY Status: The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for snapper is estimated to be 20-23% of the unfished stock size (B 0 ). This is unrealistically low and assumes there is no decline in recruitment as stocks decline. All stocks are likely below this legally required level. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 139

145 SNA 1 was about 18% B 0 in 2000 and SNA 8 was between 8 and 12% B 0. SNA2 stock (east coast North Island from Kapiti to eastern Bay of Plenty) was probably below the recruited biomass that supports the maximum sustainable yield. SNA7 (West Coast and top of the South Island) is thought to be rebuilding after being depleted to very low levels. Fishery Assessment plenary report states: SNA1 was last assessed in 2000: East Northland: Recruited biomass declined rapidly from 1970 to 1996, where it remained above Bmsy, dropping sharply to just below Bmsy by The CPUE index fluctuated without trend from 1989/90 to 2009/10 Hauraki Gulf/Bay of Plenty: Recruited biomass declined to well below Bmsy between 1970 and 1982, was reasonably stable between 1983 and 1994 and then increased gradually to 1999, remaining below Bmsy. The Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty CPUE indices have shown a steady increase since 1989, with > 50% improvements from 1989 levels. These trends are consistent with projections from the 2000 stock assessment, but CPUE has not increased as rapidly at the models predicted rate. SNA2: For the range of model runs investigated, estimates of MSY ( t) are higher than the recent catch levels (376 t). Given that the catch is below the range of MSY estimates, it is Likely that biomass would increase at current catch levels provided that recruitment is maintained at or above average levels. SNA 7: Catch-at-age data collected in and had a lack of fish over 8 years old, which were relatively common in earlier samples collected between 1997 and There is no evidence of a rebuild as suggested by the stock assessment. SNA8: The 2005 stock assessment indicated that current biomass (start of year ) was between 8% and 12%B 0 and the biomass was predicted to slowly increase at the TACC level of 1500 t. However, from 1 October 2005 the TACC was reduced to 1300 t to ensure a faster rebuild of the stock. At this TACC level the predicted rebuild to B MSY (20% B 0 ) occurred after 2018 in all cases.. The fishery is held up in most years by only 4-5 dominant age classes with a negligible accumulation of biomass beyond 20 years. Given the current age structure the stock would be very vulnerable to recruitment failure extending more than 2-3 years in duration.. (MFish 2011 p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing method(s): Bottom longlining, bottom trawling and some set netting. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling damages seafloor habitats and leads to a loss in biodiversity. (Thrush et al 1998) Bycatch: Seabirds are caught as by-kill on longlines, including flesh-footed shearwaters and globally threatened black petrels. While trawling and set netting catch a range of non target fish species. Snapper fisheries may also risk possible bycatch of critically endangered Maui s dolphins. Restrictions on set netting and trawling in areas where the dolphins are found were introduced in May 2008, which has significantly reduced the threat to these dolphins plus other marine mammals and wildlife. However, captures may still exist where trawl fishing overlaps with dolphins areas outside the closed areas. Ecological effects: Modification and damage to seafloor habitats, associated species and food webs. Management and management unit (score C and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Whilst most stocks are managed separately, there are two distinct stocks managed as one. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments in all areas except QMA 2 and 3. However, SNA1 was last carried out in 2000, SNA2 in 2010, SNA 7 in 2002, and SNA8 in The 2002 results of SNA7 was rejected by the stock assessment working group. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; SeaFIC website 2004; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; S. F. Thrush, J. E. Hewitt, V. J. Cummings, P. K. Dayton, M. Cryer, S. J. Turner, G. A. Funnell, R. G. Budd, C. J. Milburn, M. R. Wilkinson (1998) Disturbance of the marine benthic habitat by commercial fishing: impacts at the scale of the fishery. Ecological Applications: Vol. 8, No. 3, pp Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 140

146 Southern blue whiting Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Micromesistius australis Southern poutassou, merlan bleu austral (France, Canada), merlu (Italy), blauer wittling (Germany), minamidara (Japan). Trevally or Tarakihi Description: This deepwater cod species is only found in waters around the Sub-Antarctic Islands, where it schools near the seabed at depths of 450 to 650m. It is therefore targeted and caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries operating in this region, particularly during its spawning season in August to early October. The southern blue whiting trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under an international body - the Marine Stewardship Council. Ecological concerns: The recorded and projected declines in biomass for two stocks (Campbell and Bounty s), the unknown sustainability of current catch limits in the two other stocks and the lack of a management plan. Of particular concern is the increasing trend of threatened NZ sea lion captures in this fishery, which has relatively low observer coverage. Also, the impact of bottom trawling, the very high bycatch of NZ fur seals (the highest of any NZ fishery), especially around the Bounty Islands and the deaths of seabirds are of serious concern. Economic value: The southern blue whiting fishery has an export value of about $22.7 million (2008), with the main markets in Japan, Bulgaria, Australia and China. This fish is also used to make crabsticks or surimi. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Restricted to Sub-Antarctic waters. This species is abundant south of New Zealand on the Campbell Plateau, Pukaki Rise and Bounty Platform at depths of m. Maximum age (years): 25 Age at sexual maturity: 2-4 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to low. Age exploited: 3-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Highly uncertain or unknown for the Pukaki and Auckland Island stocks, depleted for the other two areas. Annual catch limit: Set at 44,848 tonnes in Recorded catch: Reported landings of 39,438 tonnes in Stock trends: The Campbell Island stocks have had good recruitment and are rebuilding. The Bount Platform stock is declining. The biomass of the Pukaki Rise stock is thought to be stable, while the sustainability of current catch limits in the Auckland Islands stock is unknown. MSY Status: Of the four stocks, Bounty Platform is declining and Campbell Island stocks is increasing. The biomass of the Pukaki Rise stock and the Auckland Islands stock is unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Campbell Islands stock: Biomass was likely to have been below the management target around 1990 and at or near the management target since With strong recent recruitment the biomass is now increasing. B 2009 is about as likely as not (40-60%) to be at or above the target ; Bounty Platform stock: Biomass was Likely to have been below the target level from 1993 to 2005 but, with the recruitment of the very strong 2002 year class, the stock increased to be at or above pre-exploitation levels until 2008 Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 141

147 but has subsequently declined. [Key uncertainty i s:] High variability in acoustic survey biomass estimates. The surveys in 2007 and 2008 suggested biomass of t, but the surveys in 2009 and 2010 suggested a biomass of t. Pukaki Stock Current status unknown. Believed to be only lightly exploited between 1993 and No current reliable indices of abundance (wide area surveys were discontinued in 2000) ; Auckland Islands stock: The probability of the current catch or TACC causing decline below limits is unknown. No reliable time series of data available. (MFish, 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E) Fishing method: Trawling, mainly by foreign chartered vessels. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling bulldozes the seafloor and causes serious damage bottom dwelling species and fragile deepwater ecosystems. Bycatch: The southern blue whiting fishery has the highest captures of NZ fur seals of any fishery, especially around the Bounty Islands. It also captures seabirds, other fish species and, increasingly, globally threatened NZ sea lions. Ecological effects: Trawling impacts on bottom dwelling species and associated communities. Also, the removal of young southern blue whiting, which are an important food for globally threatened yellow-eyed penguin and forms the bulk of the food of globally threatened black-browed albatross (Diomedea melanophrys impavida) during the chick-rearing period (Cherel et al 1999). Management and management unit (score C and A) Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1999 (1 November). Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. The southern blue whiting trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (and international body that assesses and awards sustainable fisheries certifications). Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments for all areas except Auckland Islands. For example, Campbell Islands (2011), Bounty Platform (2011), Pukaki Rise (2002). Industry surveys have resulted in variable acoustic results. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; SeaFIC website 2004; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Albatross predation of juvenile southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) on the Campbell Plateau Cherel, Waugh and Hanchet, 1999 New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 1999 Volume 33. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 142

148 Southern bluefin tuna Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Thunnus maccoyii Bluefin, southern bluefin, thon rouge de sud (Canada, France), atun del sur (Spain), minamimaguro, indo-maguro (Japan). Albacore or skipjack tuna Description: Southern bluefin tuna is a long-lived migratory species, found throughout the Southern Hemisphere, which can move thousands of kilometres in a year. It is a highly sought after tuna species, due to its flesh being of high oil and low moisture content. In 1996 it s depleted status resulted in it being ranked by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. Southern bluefin tuna breed in the Indian Ocean off western Australia, arriving in New Zealand in prime condition at around the age of 5 years old, where they are caught off the east coast by longlining and trolling. Jointly with mako shark, snapper and oreo/deepwater dory, southern bluefin tuna has the second worst ecological ranking on the Best Fish Guide of any commercial fishery in New Zealand. Ecological concerns: Southern bluefin stocks are severely over-fished the breeding population is severely depleted and there is a high level of unreported and illegal catch (up to 30% of the reported catch). The lack of a management plan and the bycatch of seabirds, NZ fur seals, a range of shark species and the huge non-target fish bycatch are also of concern. Economic value: Southern bluefin tuna are exported to Japan, the USA and Canada where it is highly prized for sashimi and sushi. Almost all large bluefins are shipped to Japan where they can fetch very high prices. An individual 444 pound bluefin sold for a record US$173,000 in Tokyo in The export value of southern blue fin tuna was $7million in The export value of all tuna species combined was $38 million in Quota value of southern blue fin tuna in 2009 was $15.4m. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Breeds south of Java (Indonesia) on the west coast of Australia. Distributed in the southern oceans between 10 o S and 50 o S, including New Zealand waters. Maximum age (years): 40+ Age at sexual maturity: 8-12 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to very high. Age exploited: 4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E) Population size: Southern bluefin tuna are severely depleted - well under 10% of the 1960 population size and possibly as low as 3%. In 1996 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed this species as Critically Endangered, the highest threat category. Annual catch limit: The annual New Zealand catch limit was set at 570 tonnes in 2010 and 2011 out of a global limit of 9449 tonnes set by the Convention on the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT). Recorded catch: Reported landings of tonnes in 2010/11. Estimated global catches reported in 2010 ( t) were the lowest for over 50 years. In 2005 a high level of unreported or illegal catch was identified, principally by Japanese fishers, which went back over 20 years. There is also concerns about the reporting of aquaculture farming by Australian fishers. Stock trends: Declined to historically low size (4.5%) and it is unclear whether the stock is still declining and there is some recent evidence of potential rebuilding. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 143

149 MSY Status: Well below the level necessary to produce the maximum sustainable yield and expected to suffer from further declines in spawning stock biomass in the coming years. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Well below Bmsy, Spawning stock biomass is estimated to be about 5%Bo. Likely to be below the hard limit (10%Bo). Recent recruitments are estimated to be well below the level from , but have improved since the poor recruitments in (MFish 2011, p ) Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method(s): Pelagic longlining, with over a million baited hooks set in New Zealand per year. The small number of Japanese chartered vessels and New Zealand vessels are required to use some seabird bycatch mitigation measures. Habitat damage: None. Bycatch: Seabirds, including globally threatened species of albatross and petrel, are killed as well as non-target fish (including blue sharks) and some marine turtles. Albatross species recorded killed in the fishery include Antipodean, Buller s, Salvin s, Gibson s, Campbell, Chatham, black-browed and white-capped. Grey petrels are also caught. The numbers of fish bycatch species can be up to 20 times the target tuna catch. Ecological effects: This fishery is directly responsible for driving both the target tuna species and some species of albatross towards extinction. Due to the excess removal of this species and the removal of other large predatory species, the fishery has knock-on effects on food web dynamics. Management and management unit (score C and D) Quota Management Species: Yes, in Catch limits: Yes, as a proportion of the global limit set by the CCSBT. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessment in 2011 by CCSBT. Assessments have been affected by the high level of unreported or illegal catch identified in 2005, principally by Japanese fishers, which went back over 20 years. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; SeaFIC website 2004; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). 53p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 144

150 Spiny dogfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Squalus acanthias koinga, kaaraerae, mako-huarau, mangoo-hapuu, mango-pekepeke (Maori), spurdog, spineback, spiky dog fish, spiky, southern spiny dogfish, spotted spiny dogfish, rock salmon (UK), gob sang eo (Korea). No alternative Description: Like rig, this small shark species has moderately fast growth and reproductive rates that make it less prone to overfishing than most shark species. It lives near the seafloor, in deeper waters than rig ( m), occuring almost worldwide in cool temperate waters. In New Zealand they are most commonly found off the south and east coasts of the South Island. It is mainly caught as bycatch in several deepwater trawl fisheries plus by inshore trawlers, set netters and longliners.? Ecological concerns: The limited research on this species, the absence of a quantitative stock assessment, which results in the unknown sustainability of current catch limits, the uncertainty about stock boundaries and the absence of a management plan. Also of concern is the impact of trawling on seabed habitats and, due to the association with other fisheries where it is caught, seabird, marine mammal and other fish bycatch. Whilst there is no management plan for spiny dogfish, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for spiny dogfsh, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo. Economic value: Spiny dogfish is sold in New Zealand and is exported, mainly to Western Europe and China with a value of $2.5 million in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Most common off the south and east coasts of the South Island at depths of m, but also occurs on the Chatham Rise and northern Campbell Plateau. Maximum age (years): 26 Age at sexual maturity: 6-10 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium female fish produce 1 to 19 live young per litter with a gestation period of 24 months.. Age exploited: 4 (uncertain) Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: No estimates of current or reference biomass. Annual catch limit: Limit was set at 12,660 since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 6166 tonnes in , the lowest since being under quota management. Stock trends: There was an upward trend in reported catches between and MSY Status: Uncertain. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Although reported commercial catches of spiny dogfish were observed to increase in all major FMAs during the 1990s, the extent to which these increases can be attributed to changes in reporting practice (i.e., more accurate reporting of discards in recent times) is uncertain. Trawl surveys, on the other hand, indicate that there was a general increase in the abundance of spiny dogfish, particularly around the South Island, in the mid 1990s. It is unknown whether current catch limits are sustainable. (MFish 2011 p1044). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 145

151 Fishing method: Trawling, set netting and longlining. It is mainly caught as bycatch in a range of trawl fisheries including hoki, barracouta and red cod. Habitat damage: When caught by bottom trawl, or from mid-water trawls close to the seafloor, bottom dwelling species and habitats are damaged. Bycatch: Spiny dogfish is caught in association with other fisheries where there seabirds, marine mammals and a range of non-target fish are caught as bycatch. (See hoki, barracouta and red cod for more information.) Ecological effects: As with most sharks, spiny dogfish is an important predator so excess removal from marine systems is likely to alter food web dynamics. (In conjunction with the removal of other non-target fish, this is almost certainly the case.) Up to 80% of spiny dogfish have been discarded in some areas, making its removal utterly wasteful. Management and management unit (score D and B) Quota Management Species: Yes from Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment and limited research. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of sharks (October 2008), Ministry of Fisheries. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 146

152 Sprats Scientific name: Sprattus antipodum (sprat), S. muelleri (stout sprat) Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: kupae, marakuha, patete (Maori), New Zealand herring, sardine, sprotte (Germany), espadin (Spain), iwashi, supuratto (Japan). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Sprats, also commonly referred to as sardines or New Zealand herring, actually incorporate two different species of sprat. They are a small, fast growing schooling fish found in coastal waters, particularly in sheltered bays. They are often used (long with anchovy and pilchards) by recreational fishers as baitfish and are caught commercially in a minor and intermittent fishery. They are a schooling fish, most commonly found around the South Island, sometimes in mixed schools with anchovy and pilchards. Jointly with anchovy and pilchard, sprats have the highest ecological ranking of any commercial fishery in New Zealand.? Ecological concerns: The lack of basic biological information on both species, the lack of a quantitative stock assessment, the impact of trawling on seafloor species and the lack of a management plan. There is also some concern about the impact of fishing this species on predatory species further up the food chain, such as marine mammals, seabirds and larger fish. However, these concerns have not yet been assessed. Economic value: The market for sprats includes New Zealand. Best option: Try to choose sprats caught by purse seine or beach seine. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (both species) (score A) Distribution: Open water and common in inshore waters around the South Island and in localized shoals around the North Island. Maximum age (years): Unknown. Age at sexual maturity: Unknown. Growth rate: High. Reproductive output: High. Size/age exploited: Unknown. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 450 tonnes since Recorded catch: 1 tonne in During the 1990s reported catches ranged from less than 1 tonne to 7 tonnes. Stock trends: Unknown. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current biomass are available. At the present level of minimal catches, stocks are at or close to their natural level. This is nominally a virgin biomass, but not necessarily a stable one. It is probably not possible to estimate a long-term sustainable yield for sprats. (MFish 2011 p1046). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and A) Method: Mainly purse seine but also set net and beach seine. Habitat damage: Impact of bottom trawling on seafloor habitats and species diversity. Bycatch: Associated with pilchard in the south, and purse seine bycatch species. Ecological effects: This is an important food species for larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Excessive localised harvesting may disrupt ecosystems. (MFish 2009, p 940) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 147

153 Management and management unit (score E and C) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Two species managed as one. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 148

154 Stargazer / monkfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Kathetostoma giganteum kourepoua, moamoa, ngu (Maori), giant stargazer, bulldog, sterngucker (Germany), miishimaokoze (Japan). No alternative Description: Stargazer or monkfish is actually one of a few species of stargazer in New Zealand. It (the giant stargazer) is widespread in New Zealand coastal waters between 50 and 500m, living on or partially buried in soft sediments on the seabed. It is caught year round, mainly around the South Island, where it is most common, as a bycatch in domestic trawl fisheries targeting red cod, tarakihi, flatfish, barracouta and scampi. It is also caught as bycatch in some deepwater fisheries. Ecological concerns: The absence of quantitative stock assessments for only one area, uncertainty over stock boundaries, unknown sustainability of some catch levels and limits and the lack of a management plan. Also of concern is the habitat destruction caused by bottom trawling, bycatch of skates, plus the non-target fish, seabirds and marine mammal bycatch associated with other fisheries in which it is caught. Economic value: Stargazer is sold in New Zealand and had an export value of about $4 million in 2008, mainly sold to Japan, Latvia and Germany. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Moderately common in shelf waters around southern New Zealand at depths of 50 to 500m. Maximum age (years): 26 Age at sexual maturity: 5-7 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Medium to high. Age exploited: 2-3 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Largely unknown. There has been a preliminary estimate off the West Coast and top of the South Island (STA7) which gave a spawning stock estimate of 29 to 51% B 0 for the base case assessment, and within the East Coast North Island area (STA 2) the exploitation rate was estimated to be very high with long term yields of the order of tonnes. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 5,456 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 3247 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown, but STA3 ECSI trawl survey index has declined and STA 7 stock has declined by around 29 to 51% since MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current or reference biomass are available. STA1 (Raglan to eastern Bay of Plenty): Recent catches have exceeded [the TACC]. It is not known if recent catch levels and current TACC are sustainable. The status of STA 1 relative to B MSY is unknown. STA2 (East coast North Island): It is not known whether recent catches and the current TACC will cause the STA2 stock size to decline. The status of STA2 relative to B MSY is unknown. STA 3 (East coast South Island): Unlikely to be below limits [but] the two recent (2008 and 2009) East Coast South Island [trawl] survey estimates have shown progressive declines from the high in 2007 to just below the long-term mean. STA 3 stock size is likely (> 60%) to remain near current levels under current catch (2007/08 and 2008/09). It is Unknown if catches near the TACC would cause the stock to decline. STA 4 (Chatham Rise): if fishing is overly concentrated in those areas where stargazer can be targeted, such as close to the Chatham Islands, there are concerns that local depletion may occur. It is not known if catches at the level Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 149

155 of the current TACC would be sustainable. The status of STA 4 relative to B MSY is unknown. STA 5 (Southern waters, including Subantarctic Islands and Fiordland): The current TAC is at the level of recent catches, and is probably sustainable. The status of STA 5 relative to B MSY is unknown. STA7 (West Coast & top of the South Island): The range of model results for STA 7 west coast stock assessment suggests that, given the assumptions about recruitment, the stock is Likely (> 60%) to be near or above B MSY. The WCSI trawl survey indices have increased from a low observed in 2003 to the highest in the series in STA 7 stock is likely (> 60%) to remain at or above B MSY at current catch levels. STA 8 (Lower west coast North Island, inc. Taranaki): It is not known if recent catch levels and current TACC are sustainable. The status of STA 8 relative to B MSY is unknown. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Trawling. Stargazer is a bycatch in red cod, tarakihi, flatfish, barracouta and scampi fisheries. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling bulldozes the seabed, destroying and altering bottom habitats and species assemblages. Bycatch: Stargazer is associated with the bycatch problems of the fisheries in which it is caught, which includes captures of non-target fish, seabirds and marine mammals. (See red cod, flatfish, barracouta and scampi for more information.). The bycatch of skates which are declining in the STA7 fishery is a concern. Ecological effects: The combined effects of seafloor damage and alteration (especially for the scampi fishery) plus non-target bycatch has considerable ecological implications on seabed and wider marine systems. Management and management unit (score D and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: One quantitative stock assessment for STA 7 (2008) and a preliminary assessments in STA2 (1997).. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 150

156 Striped marlin Scientific name: Tetrapturus audax Other names: takaketonga (Maori), marlin. Alternative Choice Albacore or Skipjack tuna Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: Striped marlin is a highly migratory species (HMS) of broadbill fish and an important oceanic predator. The management responsibility for this species, as with other Western Pacific HMS, lies with an international body the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries commission (WCPFC). However, the Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for upholding WCPFC rules in New Zealand waters. Between 1987 and 1991 there was a moratorium on landing any broadbill species (marlin and swordfish) in the area between Mokau and East Cape (Auckland Fisheries Management Area) due to concerns about depleted stocks. In 1991, the moratorium was replaced with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between recreational and commercial fishers, to allow for the commercial take of swordbill. Since 1995, there is a requirement to report all catches of billfish. The MOU was last singed in As a result of the agreement on billfish, striped marlin is principally a recreational only fish (about 65% tagged and released to aid research), with any commercial captures the result of accidental capture in the tuna surface longline fishery in northern waters.? Ecological concerns: Uncertainty about the stock assessment plus the state of the stocks and catch limits. Commercial captures of marlin are associated with the bycatch of sharks, seabirds and fur seals. One of the key concerns is the ecological impacts of removing this key predator species from oceanic food webs. Economic value: Marlin is sold in East Asia. Billfish catch by recreational fishers was estimated to be valued at $65m in 2002 (there are no more recent estimates). ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Striped marlin are caught mainly around the North Islands, north of 42oS. Maximum age (years): 12+ Age at sexual maturity: 1-2? Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 2? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: None set. Recorded catch: Latest reported annual commercial catch of 20.5 tonnes in , which were discarded, and 5.6 tonnes taken by New Zealand vessels outside the zone. Stock trends: Uncertain, but likely declining. MSY Status: Uncertain but may be below B MSY. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Several of the plausible model scenarios investigated indicate that current levels of fishing mortality may approximate or exceed the reference level F MSY and current spawning biomass levels may approximate or be below the biomass based reference point B MSY. On the basis of this preliminary assessment, it is recommended as a precautionary measure that there should be no increase in fishing mortality (i.e. fishing effort) on striped marlin in the southwestern Pacific, particularly the Tasman Sea... No estimates of biomass or yield are available for New Zealand. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2010, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method: Pelagic / Surface longlining for tuna around the North Island. Habitat damage: None. Bycatch: Sharks, New Zealand fur seals and seabirds are caught in the longline fishery. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 151

157 Ecological effects: Removal of some of these important large predators may impact oceanic food web dynamics, including other species caught as bycatch in the longline fishery. Management and management unit (score D and D) Quota Management Species: No due to an MOU with recreational fishers, marlin cannot be targeted by commercial fishers.. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Stock assessment: A initial stock assessment in 2006 by the WCPFC Scientific Committee, with collaboration by Australia and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and southwestern Pacific stock assessment is planned in 2012 by WCPFC.. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, Revised Edition 1990, NZ Fishing Industry Board. Ministry of Fisheries National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). 53p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 152

158 Swordfish Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Xiphias gladius broadbill, broadbill swordfish, paea, espadon (France), mekajiki (Japan). Albacore or Skipjack tuna Description: Swordfish is a highly migratory species (HMS) of broadbill fish and an important oceanic predator found worldwide in temperate, tropical and subtropical seas. The management responsibility for this species, as with other Western Pacific HMS, lies with an international body the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries commission (WCPFC). However, the Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for upholding WCPFC rules in New Zealand waters, with catch limits set under the quota management system. They are targeted and caught as a bycatch in the northern bigeye and southern bluefin tuna longline fisheries.? Ecological concerns: Uncertainty about the stock assessments, catch limits and state of the stocks, plus the potential for serial depletion of large swordfish. There is also concern about the bycatch of sharks, seabirds, fur seals and sea turtles. In November 2006, a single surface longline vessel targeting swordfish around the Kermadec Islands caught 51 threatened antipodean albatrosses, 7 white-chinned petrels and 2 sea turtles. Another key concerns is the ecological impacts of removing this key predator species from oceanic food webs. Economic value: Main markets are Japan, Australia and USA. The export value of all tuna and swordfish species combined was $40.1 million in Swordfish quota value was $2.9m in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Swordfish are found worldwide in temperate, subtropical and tropical waters. They are present in New Zealand year round from the Kermadecs to Foveaux Strait. Maximum age (years): 20+ Age at sexual maturity: 1 Males-10 Females Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited:? Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 885 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of tonnes in The average sex ratio of swordfish caught in the longline fishery over the last 20 years was 3 times as many females compared to males. Stock trends: Uncertain. There was a decline in CPUE from 2000 to 2004, which is consistent with the decline in Australia, but the recent assessment suggests an increase in the stock. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Following a period of continuous decline, the southerwest Pacific swordfish bimass has recently increased. Annual CPUE trends for the SW-Pacific has shown that the Australian and New Zealand fleets declined from 1997 to 2003, and increased from In contrast the Japanese fleets show a continuous (though noisy decline from (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Method: Pelagic / surface longlining - they are caught on the west and east coast of the North Island, plus around the Kermadecs. Habitat damage: None. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 153

159 Bycatch: Seabirds, sharks, New Zealand fur seals and turtles are caught in the longline fishery. In November 2006, a single surface longline vessel targeting swordfish around the Kermadec Islands caught 51 threatened antipodean albatrosses, 7 white-chinned petrels and 2 sea turtles. Ecological effects: Removal of these important large predators (Southern bluefin and sharks) impacts oceanic food web dynamics. Management and management unit (score C and D) Quota Management Species: Yes in Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: A preliminary assessment in 2008 by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) (Kolody et al 2008). References: Overview of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries, 2000, A Lewis and P Williams, Oceanic Fisheries Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia, August 2001; National Tuna Fishery Report 2001 New Zealand, T Murray and L Griggs, NIWA; Kolody, D., Campbell, R., Davies, N. (2008). A Multifan-CL Stock Assessment of South-Western-Central Pacific Swordfish Working Paper SA-WP-6 to WCPFC SC4, held August 2008, Port Moresby PNG. 89 p.. Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). 53p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 154

160 Tarakihi Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Nemadactylus macropterus Ocean bream, silver bream, morwong (Australia), shimakurodai, tarakii (Japan) Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Tarakihi is a long-lived relative of red moki that is common around New Zealand, but mostly found south of East Cape and around the South Island. They are associated with shallow reefs as juveniles but then school over open seafloors as adults from 50 to 250m water depth.? Ecological concerns: Tarakihi is caught by trawling, so there is some concern about habitat damage if trawl gear touches the seafloor. Trawling also catches a range of other fish. Other concerns include the limited amount of some basic biological information, the absence of quantitative stock assessments, the uncertainty over stock boundaries and the lack of a management plan for Tarakihi. Economic value: Tarakihi are sold in New Zealand, Japan and Australia and had an export value of $0.5 million in Best option: Try to avoid Tarakihi caught in association with red cod off the East coast of the South Island or caught in association with gemfish. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Occurs around New Zealand but mostly in the cooler waters south of East Cape and around the South Island. Maximum age (years): 40+ Age at sexual maturity: 4-6 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Low to high. Age exploited: 3-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown for eastern New Zealand stocks (TAR 2, 3, and 4). For TAR7 an assessment in 2008 had a base case estimate of 42-68% unfished stock size. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 6,438 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 5553 tonnes in , the second lowest catch in 10 years. Stock trends: Unknown for eastern New Zealand stocks (TAR 2, 3, and 4). There are concerns that catch rates have declined for over 6 years in TAR2 and for TAR7 has declined for 5 years and is now likely to be below Bmsy.. MSY Status: Unknown. West Coast South Island stocks are thought to be below B MSY. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: TAR1 (Raglan to eastern Bay of Plenty): The *CPUE+ indices remain stable suggesting that current catches and the TACC for TAR 1 are sustainable. In 2002 the Inshore WG concluded that TAR 1 was likely to be above B MSY. There is no evidence from the CPUE analyses to suggest any major changes in abundance since this time. TAR2 (East coast North Island): Current catches (1729 t in ) are most likely sustainable. However, CPUE should be monitored to see whether the recent declines in CPUE from the target fishery continue. The state of the TAR 2 stock in relation to B MSY is not known. Long periods of sustained catches around 1 600t to 1 700t indicate a flat yield curve for the stock, and suggest that the stock is probably close to B MSY. TAR3 (East coast South Island): Catches in the southern area at levels of the current TACC, may lead to declines in biomass. The state of the stock in relation to B MSY is unknown. Abundance appeared to reach its lowest historical level over to , at about 70% of the long-term average, having declined steadily from a peak in Abundance may be increasing back to average levels again, although a decline was again noted in Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 155

161 TAR4 (Chatham Rise): the fishery around the Chatham Islands has generally been lightly fished and the stock can probably support higher catch levels for the next few years. TAR 7 (West coast South Island): In 2007 the range of model results for TAR 7 estimated that the stock was likely to be at or above B MSY. The 2011 CPUE analysis has shown that since 2007 the index has declined for three consecutive years, suggesting that the stock is now unlikely to be at or above the target. There is evidence for the 2009 survey that there may be two strong year classes which would recruit to the fishery in TAR 8 (Lower west coast North Island, inc. Taranaki): Overall, landings from the North and South Islands have remained relatively stable, since at least the late 1960s, despite changes in effort and methods of fishing. Given the long, stable catch history of this fishery, current catch levels and TACCs are thought to be sustainable. (MFish 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B) Fishing method: Bottom trawling. Tarakihi is also a bycatch in the red cod and barracouta trawl fisheries around the South Island Habitat damage: Trawling for tarakihi scrapes the seabed, impacting a range of non-target species. In the Bay of Plenty, the impact of tarakihi trawling was considered along with scampi, hoki and gemfish trawling (Cryer et al, 2002). Bycatch: Other fish species. Ecological effects: Trawling alters species diversity and habitat composition, and may disturb coastal food web dynamics. Management and management unit (score C and B) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species but the stock structure is uncertain. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment apart from a preliminary assessment of TAR7 in References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Cryer, Hartill & O Shea Ecological Applications 12: Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 156

162 Trevally Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Pseudocaranx dentex araara, kopapa, komutumutu, raumarie (Maori), blue gill, jack fish, silver trevally (Australia / UK), carangue (France), Minamishimaaji (Japan). Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: Trevally is a long-lived species (up to 45 years) that lives near the seabed when young, but schools as adults in the open water, where they feed on krill and other plankton. It is common around many parts of the North Island and the top half of the south Island and most abundant at depths of around 80m. It is caught year round, mainly around the North Island in conjunction with the snapper trawl fishery. It is also caught by purse seiners in the Bay of Plenty and in set nets.? Ecological concerns: The over-catch of Trevally off the east coast of the North Island, the absence of a quantitative stock assessment, the uncertainty of the stock status and the lack of a management plan. Trawling catches non-target fish and, when fished at the bottom or using bottom trawl gear, may cause considerable damage to seabed habitats and ecosystems. The fishery may also risk captures of critically endangered Maui s dolphins off the west coast of the North Island. Restrictions on trawling and set netting introduced in May 2008 have reduced the risk of catching these dolphins. However, dolphins outside closed areas are still at risk and a pending court ruling, the risk of catching these dolphins may once again increase. Economic value: The main markets for Trevally are in New Zealand, Japan, UK and the Middle East. It had an export value of $3.2 million in Best option: Trevally caught of western New Zealand appear healthier, but avoid fish caught using bottom trawl or set net. Purse seine caught trevally is the best option. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score D) Distribution: Common around the North Island and northern South Island, with most trevally found along the north east and north west coasts of the North Island at a depth of 80m. Maximum age (years): 40+ Age at sexual maturity: 3-5 Growth rate: Moderate to low. Reproductive output: Low to high. Age exploited: 3-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Uncertain, though the population off western New Zealand (TRE7) has been estimated to be relatively healthy. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 3,933 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 3042 tonnes in , the third lowest catch in nearly 20 years. Stock trends: Uncertain. Although an assessment of TRE7 shows a fluctuating stock size since 1980 and there are concerns about declines in TRE1 (Cape Rienga to eastern Bay of Plenty) catches. MSY Status: Uncertain, apart from an assessment of TRE7, which indicates the current stock is likely to be at or just above B MSY (28% B 0 ). The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states TRE1 (Cape Rienga to eastern Bay of Plenty): Recent catches reported for TRE 1 are less than the estimated MCY levels and below the TACC. Reduced proportions of older Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 157

163 age classes in the single bottom trawl catch between and combined with the strong drops in landings in and may indicate that stock abundance is declining at current catch levels. TRE 2 (Eastern North Island to Kapiti): It is not known if recent catches are sustainable. TRE 7 (Western New Zealand - North & South Islands): Two alternative model runs: one B 2008 estimated to be 18% - 44% B 0 (median = 30% B 0 ); Likely (> 60%) to be at or above the target. Spawning Biomass is estimated to have declined gradually during the 1940s and 1950s. The rate of decline increased in the 1960s and 1970s consistent with the increase in the total annual catch. Since 1980 spawning biomass appears to have remained fairly stable. Relatively large proportions of fish >10 years, including a healthy 20+ age group...suggest that TRE 7 have not been heavily exploited Model projections indicate that the biomass of TRE 7 stock is About as Likely as Not to remain stable over the next 5 years and the probability of the stock going below B MSY in 2013 is estimated at [up to] 38%. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B) Fishing method(s): Bottom trawl, purse seine and set net. Trevally is also caught as a bycatch in snapper, red gurnard, kahawai and john dory fisheries. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling damages the seabed, reducing bottom dwelling species diversity and altering habitat composition. Bycatch: As a bycatch species itself, a range of other fish species are caught as bycatch, including other commercial species (snapper, red gurnard, kahawai, john dory) as well as non-target species. There is also a risk of catching seabirds and marine mammals, including potential bycatch of critically endangered Maui s dolphins. Ecological effects: Impacts of bottom trawling on bottom dwelling species and habitats plus ecological implications of set netting, which can kill unwanted fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Management and management unit (score C and A) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: A revised quantitative assessment in TRE7 in 2009 and a preliminary assessment for TRE 1 in 2006, which was not accepted. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 158

164 Trumpeter Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Latris lineata E (Red - Avoid) porae, koekohe, kohikohi (Maori), striped trumpeter, okiisaki (Japan). Trevally or Tarakihi Description: This moki relative occurs in the cool, temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere from the Indian Ocean to South America. In New Zealand it is found from the Bay of Plenty southwards to the Auckland Islands, but is mainly caught on the east coast of both main islands, ranging from 20 to 200m water depth. There is little targeted fishing for trumpeter - it is mainly caught s a bycatch fish in line fisheries, with some caught in trawl and set nets.? Ecological concerns: The absence of basic biological information about Trumpeter, the lack of a quantitative stock assessment and the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels. Also, the uncertainty over stock boundaries and the potential for localised depletion of some populations, plus the lack of a management plan. As a bycatch species itself, trumpeter fishing is also associated with other non-target fish bycatch. Economic value: Trumpeter is sold in New Zealand. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Occurs from the Bay of Plenty southwards to the Auckland Islands, but is seldom common. Maximum age (years): 43+. Age at sexual maturity: Unknown. Growth rate: Likely to be moderate. Reproductive output: Unknown. Size/age exploited: Unknown. Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 144 tonnes since Recorded catch: Estimated landings of 95 tonnes in Stock trends: Unknown. (There is a risk for localised population to be quickly fished out.) MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current and reference biomass are available. It is not known if recent catch levels are sustainable. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2009, p1019). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and C) Fishing method(s): Mostly caught as bycatch in coastal line-fisheries, with some caught in trawl nets and set nets. Habitat damage: Unknown. Bycatch: A range of fish species also caught as bycatch in fisheries where trumpeter is caught. Ecological effects: Unknown. Management and management unit (score E and C) Quota Management Species: Yes, since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 159

165 References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; MFish Final Position Paper for the Sustainability Round. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 160

166 White warehou Scientific name: Seriolella caerulea Other names: Deepsea wharehou Alternative Choice: Trevally or Tarakihi Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Description: White warehou is the deepest ranging of the three warehou species in New Zealand and is common in southeastern waters and on the Campbell Plateau in the Subantarctics. It is mostly taken as a bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries for hoki and silver warehou.? Ecological concerns: The absence of some basic biological information about white warehou, the absence of a quantitative stock assessment, the unknown stock size, the uncertainty over stock boundaries and the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels. There are also concerns about past mis-reporting of white warehou as silver warehou catches, plus there is no management plan. Bottom trawling causes considerable damage to seafloor communities and, due to white warehou being a bycatch species of other fisheries, it is also associated with the bycatch of seabirds, marine mammals and other non-target fish. Economic value: White warehou is sold in New Zealand and Asia. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score C) Distribution: Most common off south east New Zealand and on the Campbell Plateau. Maximum age (years): 23 Age at sexual maturity: 3-4 Growth rate: Moderate. Reproductive output: Moderate. Age exploited: 3-4 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 3,735 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported landings of 1691 tonnes in , the lowest reported catch in over 20 years. Stock trends: Unknown but while catch limits were increased in 2006, catches have declined. Status: Unknown there are no biomass estimates. Fishery Assessment plenary report states: It is not known whether recent catches are sustainable or if they are at levels that will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield. (Ministry of Fisheries, 2011 p1172). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D) Fishing method: Trawling, especially bottom trawling. White warehou is caught as bycatch in the hoki and silver warehou fisheries and to a lesser extent the hake, ling and scampi fisheries. Only 8% of the catch is from targeted fishing. Habitat damage: Bottom trawling scrapes the seabed, reducing species diversity and altering habitat composition. Bycatch: As a bycatch species in a range of middle-depth fisheries, it is associated with non-target fish, marine mammal and seabird captures. (See hoki and silver warehou for more information.) Ecological effects: Trawling destroys bottom dwelling species assemblages and habitat composition. Wider ecological effects on food webs are largely due to the captures of non-target wildlife in the fisheries it is associated with. Management and management unit (score E and A) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits : Yes. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 161

167 Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Management component: Single species. However, there is a problem in that quota areas do not match possible spawning areas. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 162

168 Yellowfin tuna Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice Ranking: E (Red - Avoid) Thunnus albacares Yellowfin, thon juane (France), Ahi, Shibi, kiwada (Japan) Albacore or Skipjack tuna Description: Yellowfin tuna is a migratory species, found mainly in the warm ocean waters of northern New Zealand and moving south in summer to East Cape. Like many tuna, it is an important oceanic predator, regulating the abundance of other marine species. They are caught as a bycatch in the northern bigeye and southern bluefin tuna longline fisheries on the west and east coast of the North Island. The New Zealand catch is a very small part (0.03%) of the Pacific fishery, which is now managed by an international body the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Ecological concerns: The lack of a stock assessment, catch limits and a management plan, therefore the high uncertainty about the state of the stocks. Other concerns include declining catch rates, the bycatch of sharks, seabirds and fur seals, plus and ecological impact of removing this top predator species on wider oceanic food webs. Economic value: The export value of yellowfin tuna was $150,000 in 2008, with the main markets in Japan, Australia and the USA. The export value of all tuna species combined was $38 million in Yellowfin tuna quota was valued at $100,000 in ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score B) Distribution: Yellowfin tuna are caught on the west coast and east coast of the North Island. Maximum age (years): 8+ Age at sexual maturity: 2 Growth rate: Medium. Reproductive output: Medium. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown - South Pacific migratory population. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 263 tonnes since Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 2.8 tonnes in within the EEZ and tonnes by New Zealand flagged vessels fishing out of zone, which is minor compared to Western and Central Pacific catches of over 470,000 tonnes. Stock trends: Declining stock size, which are unlikely to be sustainable. Biomass has reduced to 53% of stock size in some areas to 17% of that size in equatorial Pacific areas. MSY Status: The yellowfin stock is likely to be above B MSY. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Biomass has been reduced steadily over time reaching a level of about 53% of unexploioted biomass in However, depletion is considerably higher in the equitorial regions..where biomass is estimated to have declined to about 17% of the level that is estimated to occur in the absence of fishing. If recruitment remains at recent levels ( ) then the overall yield from the fishery will be lower than current MSY estimates. (MFish, 2011, p ). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E) Fishing method: Pelagic longlining around the North Island. Habitat damage: None. Bycatch: Seabirds, sharks and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery. Ecological effects: Excess removal of this and other large predatory species has knock-on effects on the wider food web. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 163

169 Management and management unit (score C and D) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: Highly Migratory Species Management plan completed but no operational plan completed and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: A completed quantitative stock assessment for the Western and Central Pacific Conservation (WCPO) Fisheries Scientific Committee (2011). References: Overview of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries, 2000, A Lewis and P Williams, Oceanic Fisheries Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia, August 2001; National Tuna Fishery Report 2001 New Zealand, T Murray and L Griggs, NIWA; Hampton, J., Langley, A and Kleiber, P. (2006). Stock assessment of yellowfin tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean, including an assessment of management options. WCPFC-SC2-2006/SA WP-1.. Second meeting of the WCPFC-Scientific Committee, 7-18 August 2006, Philippines. ( Anon Commission or the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean: Scientific Committee Summary report. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. 244pp. Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, November 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Ministry of Fisheries National Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). 53p. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 164

170 Yellow-eyed mullet Scientific name: Other names: Alternative Choice: Ranking: Aldrichetta forsteri aua, kaataha, kataka, makawhiti (Maori), herring, yelloweye mullet (Australia) Best option, no alternative D (Amber - Concerns) Description: This relatively short-lived surface dwelling, coastal species is found throughout New Zealand, but is most abundant in northern waters. It is smaller and more slender than grey mullet, forming schools in shallow coastal waters, harbours and estuaries. It is caught using set nets or by beach seining.? Ecological concerns: The absence of some basic biological information on yellow-eyed mullet, the absence of a quantitative stock assessment and so the unknown stock size and sustainability of recent catch levels (especially in combination with non-commercial take of this species). There is also concern about the uncertainty over stock boundaries and the likelihood of sub-stocks being managed together within quota areas, plus the absence of a management plan. Set net fisheries can have considerable non-target fish bycatch. In the past this fishery has posed a serious threat to critically endangered Maui s dolphins. Set netting also risks capture of other marine mammals and seabirds. Restrictions on set netting off the west coast of the North Island introduced in 2003 and again in May 2008 have reduced this risk, but set netting still poses a threat outside these areas. Pending a high court ruling on a challenge to the restrictions, the risk to Maui s dolphins may return. Economic value: Yellow-eyed mullet are sold in New Zealand and Australia. Best option: Mullet caught by beach seining. ASSESSMENT OUTPUT Biology and risk of overfishing (score A) Distribution: Most common in northern New Zealand waters in sheltered bays, harbours and estuaries. Maximum age (years): 7+ Age at sexual maturity: 2 Growth rate: High. Reproductive output: High. Age exploited: 2 Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D) Population size: Unknown. Annual catch limit: Limit set at 68 tonnes since Recorded catch: Reported commercial landings of 30 tonnes in with a similar non-commercial catch. Stock trends: Unknown, but may be subject to localised depletion. MSY Status: Unknown. The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. It is not known if recent catch levels are sustainable. (MFish 2011 p1178). Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B) Fishing method(s): Mainly set nets and beach seine nets. Habitat damage: Low. Bycatch: The small mesh nets used may increase fishing pressure on grey mullet and a range of other shallow water species. There is also a potential bycatch of seabirds, dolphins and other marine mammals in the set net fishery. However, restrictions on set netting in areas where the endangered Maui s and Hector s dolphins are found, introduced in May 2008, have significantly reduced this threat. (Depending on the results of legal action to reopen closed areas, the dolphins may again be put at risk.) Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 165

171 Ecological effects: The localised nature of the fishery in some harbours means there could be a risk of serial depletion in some places. Management and management unit (score D and B) Quota Management Species: Yes since Catch limits: Yes. Management plan: No. Management component: Single species. Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments. References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2009: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; The Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 Revised Edition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd. Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 166

172 Appendix I Best Fish Guide : Wallet Card Hard copies of the Best Fish Guide wallet card are available from Forest & Bird and numerous nationwide outlets. For example, Kelly Tarlton s Underwater Aquarium (Auckland), Portabello Marine Laboratory (Dunedin), plus libraries, health food shops, cafes and other retail outlets. It is also available to download as a pdf from our web site: Forest & Bird Best Fish Guide : Ecological rankings 167