No estimates of current and reference biomass are available.

ELE 2

It is not known if recent catch levels or the current TACC are sustainable. The state of the stock in

relation to B

MSY is unknown.

ELE 3

ELE 3 is currently being managed within an AMP that is monitoring a CPUE index derived from

elephantfish landings in the red cod bottom trawl fishery. Before the introduction of the QMS,

elephantfish off the south east coast of the South Island were considered severely overfished, and

TACs were initially set at low levels to facilitate stock recovery. Based on the observed catches, and

on the increasing biomass trend from the CPUE analysis, it now appears that this stock has rebuilt

considerably since the mid-1980s. The TACC for ELE 3 was increased to 950 t for the 2002

fishing year under the AMP. Recent (2004/05 to 2006/07) catch levels have substantially exceeded

the TACC and the MCY; but the MCY estimate is probably conservative. Trawl targeting on ELE

has increased significantly over the past five years. However, CPUE has remained high and the

current TACC and catches are probably sustainable in the short- to medium-term. It is not known

whether current catches are sustainable in the long-term. The state of the stock in relation to B

unknown.

ELE 5

Before the introduction of the QMS, elephantfish in Southland were considered severely overfished,

and TACs were initially set at low levels to facilitate stock recovery. The TACC for ELE 5 was

increased twice within the AMP - first to 100 t in October 2001 and then to 120 t in October 2004 -

as there was a reasonable probability that the stock was above the size that would support the MSY.

However, it is not known if recent catch levels and current TACCs are sustainable. The state of the

stock in relation to B

ELE 7

In ELE 7 catches since 1987–88 have been above the MCY and below the TAC. It is not known if

recent catch levels and current TACCs are sustainable. The state of the stock in relation to B

unknown.