Filename
FAR-2025-22-Catch-at-age-of-snapper-in-SNA-7-in-the-2022-23-and-2023-24-fishing-years.pdf
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FAR-2025-22-Catch-at-age-of-snapper-in-SNA-7-in-the-2022-23-and-2023-24-fishing-years.pdf (2.0 MB)
Abstract
Snapper is New Zealand’s most important commercial and recreational inshore finfish species.
This report describes a research study conducted in 2022–23 and 2023–24 to find out the size and age of snapper in the commercial bottom trawl catch in SNA 7, which covers Tasman and Golden Bays (TBGB) and the west coast of the South Island (WCSI). For TBGB this project contributes to a timeseries extending back to 1992–93. This is the first study to investigate snapper size and age on the WCSI.
While some difficulties were experienced obtaining samples in 2022–23, access to electronic reporting data from fishing vessels greatly improved sampling in 2023–24. In 2022–23, a total of 26 landings were sampled and 1496 otolith pairs aged; whereas in 2023–24, 43 landings were sampled and 1796 otolith pairs were aged.
Aging of otoliths has revealed that the bottom trawl catches in both TBGB and WCSI are dominated by young snapper, mostly five and six years of age and with average sizes of between 38 and 43 cm. Previous strong year-classes (notably 13 and 16 year old fish) are still present in the fishery, but are now of lesser importance (i.e., their abundance has decreased over the years since they were first present in the fishery). Overall, the SNA 7 fishery now includes multiple strong year-classes, which is generally a sign of an improving fishery.
The information generated by this study will be used for assessments and fisheries management advice for snapper stocks.
Document date
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Document type
V 1.3
File format
Adobe PDF
File size
2.0 MB
Reference number
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Uploaded from
FAR-2025-22-Catch-at-age-of-snapper-in-SNA-7-in-the-2022-23-and-2023-24-fishing-years.pdf
Uploaded date
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Search tags
ISBN:
978-1-991345-80-6;
ISSN:
1179-5352;
FAR:
2025/22;
AUTHOR:
Parsons, D.M.;
Bian, R.;
Walsh, C.;
Johnson, K.;
Smith, M.;
Hart, A.;
Sutton, C.;
Olmedo-Rojas, P.;
Stead, J.;
Olsen, L.;
Madden, B.;
Armiger, H.;
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