Species

Introduction

Under the Quota Management System (QMS) there are 98 separate species or species groups, these are divided into 642 separate fish stocks. For assessment purposes some of these fish stocks are separated in smaller sub-stocks, so in total there are 685 separate sub-stocks. For example, the Snapper 1 fish stock is divided into 3 sub-stocks, they are East Northland, the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty. Southern pāua is also divided into 3 sub stocks, they are PAU 5A, 5B and 5D.

Of the 685 sub-stocks:

297 stocks are nominal, no significant catch.
388 are commercially used, of these –
- 169 (44%) have been scientifically assessed.
- 219 (56%) have not been scientifically assessed.
- 128 (33%) are assessed at being at or above the default management target of 40% of unfished biomass, the estimated natural size of medium productivity stocks.
- 260 (67%) are assessed at being below the default management target of 40% of unfished biomass, or of unknown status, usually due to a lack of available research funding.

To better understand the state of our fish stocks we have collated information on significant issues and species of importance to non-commercial fishing and environmental interests. Where a species has been subject to a management review we have attempted to collate all relevant documents that are publicly available. These include proposal documents, agency and Ministerial advice, decision letters and related submissions. Details for each sub-stock are available under the species named below.