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FAR-2025-25-Catch-per-unit-effort-CPUE-analyses-and-characterisation-of-the-South-Island-commercial-freshwater-eel-fishery-1990-91-to-2022-23.pdf
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FAR-2025-25-Catch-per-unit-effort-CPUE-analyses-and-characterisation-of-the-South-Island-commercial-freshwater-eel-fishery-1990-91-to-2022-23.pdf (10.2 MB)
Abstract
Presented in this report are standardised catch per unit effort (CPUE) analyses and fishery characterisation for the South Island commercial freshwater shortfin and longfin eel fisheries for the years 1991 to 2023. The fisheries within nine catchments or management areas that are commercially fished are described along with trends in abundance of both eel species, where sufficient data exist, over this 33 years period.
The main South Island longfin commercial fisheries are concentrated along rivers in Otago, Southland and Westland and the main shortfin fisheries are focussed on coastal lakes and river mouths such as Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) and Lake Brunner.
Before introduction into the Quota Management System in 2001, shortfin abundance indices showed clear declines for Otago (AV) and Southland (AW), but in Westland (AX) there was an overall increase in abundance. After 2001 there were slight increases in shortfin abundance in AV and AW and a clear increasing trend for AX. Te Waihora (AS1), after 2001, showed a steep increase in abundance before levelling off for a few years, followed by a fast and steep decline after which it was variable with no clear trend.
Shortfin stock status is as follows:
AV and AX - No target has been set for shortfin, but stock status is unlikely (<40%) to be below the soft limit.
AW - No target has been set for shortfin, but stock status is about as likely as not (40–60%) to be below the soft limit.
AS1 - Unlikely to be at or above the target Bmsy for shortfin, but unlikely (<40%) to be below the soft limit.
Longfin abundance showed clear declines before 2001 for AV and AW, but in AX it progressively increased over time. After 2001 abundance for AV and AW was generally stable but with increasing trends in recent years, whereas AX showed an overall trend of increasing abundance.
Longfin stock status is as follows:
AV and AX - No target has been set for longfin, but stock status is unlikely (<40%) to be below the soft limit.
AW - No target has been set for longfin, but stock status is very unlikely (<10%) to be below the soft limit
Document date
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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V 1.3
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Adobe PDF
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10.2 MB
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2025/25
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FAR-2025-25-Catch-per-unit-effort-CPUE-analyses-and-characterisation-of-the-South-Island-commercial-freshwater-eel-fishery-1990-91-to-2022-23.pdf
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Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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Author:
Beentjes, M.P.;
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