FAR 2024/40 Characterisation and CPUE analyses for the SPO 1, SPO 2, SPO 3, SPO 7, and SPO 8 fisheries to 2020–21

Rig (lemonfish) is a coastal shark species caught in fisheries around New Zealand. Commercial fishers target rig (coded as SPO) in set nets, bottom trawl, and Danish seine nets. It is the most common shark species caught by recreational fishers.

As part of its management within the Quota Management System, rig abundance in five areas is monitored using catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) from bottom trawl and set net fisheries and, in this report, this information is given for 1990 to 2021. Off the South Island, rig is also monitored by trawl surveys.

Around the north of the North Island, rig abundance targets have not been established, but trends can be monitored. In the Firth of Thames, rig abundance increased during 2013 to 2019, then decreased, but remained above average. On the west coast of the North Island abundance was stable or increasing in the various areas assessed.

Off the central and southern east coast of the North Island, rig abundance has increased since 2009 and in 2021 was 2.5 times the target abundance.

Rig abundance off the South Island east coast appeared to have increased between 2017 and 2021, but the 2021 trawl survey index was imprecise and the stock was assessed as being at or about its target level. Abundance off the South Island south coast was also found to have increased, and this stock was also assessed as being at or about its target level in 2021.

For the South Island west coast, and the southern Taranaki Bight, recent CPUE indices increased while the trawl survey showed an increase from the mid-2010s then a decrease. The stock was considered to be at the target level in 2021.

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