Filename
FAR-2024-69-Age-composition-of-commercial-snapper-landings-in-SNA1-and-SNA2.pdf
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FAR-2024-69-Age-composition-of-commercial-snapper-landings-in-SNA1-and-SNA2.pdf (3.3 MB)
Abstract
Snapper is New Zealand’s most important commercial inshore fish species.
This describes a research study conducted in 2022–23 to find out the size and age of snapper from the commercial fishery in SNA 1 and the northern part of the SNA 2 stock, which covers most of the east coast of New Zealand North Island.
Snapper from four different fishing methods were sampled; bottom longline, bottom trawl, Danish seine and modular harvest system. In total, 47 873 snapper were measured and 5040 otolith pairs (fish ear stones) were collected for ageing by sampling 288 commercial fishing vessel catch landings at four fishing companies in SNA 1 and SNA 2, during October 2022 to August 2023.
The current study provides information that contributes to a 34 year time series. This series is used for assessments and fisheries management advice for snapper stocks.
The youngest average age of snapper was 7.4 years from the Bay of Plenty modular harvest system method and the oldest average age was 11.5 years from the Hauraki Gulf Danish seine method, the highest recorded average age in 34 years, indicating substantial improvement in the fishery. However, the average length of snapper was low, ranging from 30 cm to 36 cm, due to slower growth rates as the snapper population increases. SNA 2 north bottom trawl landings had a higher average size and weight for a given age (therefore faster growth) compared with all three SNA 1 fisheries.
The oldest aged snapper sampled in 2022–23 from SNA 1 was 52 years old (Bay of Plenty) and from northern SNA 2 was 57 years old.
Document date
Friday, 18 October 2024
Document type
V 1.3
File format
Adobe PDF
File size
3.3 MB
Reference number
2024/69
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FAR-2024-69-Age-composition-of-commercial-snapper-landings-in-SNA1-and-SNA2.pdf
Uploaded date
Friday, 18 October 2024
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AUTHOR:
Walsh, C.;
Parsons, D.;
Bian, R.;
Armiger, H.;
Taylor, R.;
Evans, O.;
Madden, B.;
Bodie, C.;
Buckthought, D.;
Smith, M.;
Wood, B;
McKenzie, J;
Howarth, M.;
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