Since the 2007 Plenary report was published, new stock assessments have been produced for the

Chatham Rise (LIN 3&4), Campbell Plateau (LIN 5&6), and Cook Strait biological stocks. Cook

Strait ling is a trans-boundary stock split between Fishstocks LIN 7 and LIN 2.

LIN 1

The current stock size is considered to be above B

MSY based on an analysis of CPUE from the

LIN 2 (including Cook Strait ling)

LIN 2 comprises waters off east coast North Island from East Cape to Cook Strait. The biological

stock affinities of ling in LIN 2 are unknown. In recent years about 40% of the LIN 2 landings

have been taken in Cook Strait (i.e., west of Cape Palliser). The model results from a Cook Strait

assessment suggest that the stock has declined, particularly since the late 1980s. Based on the

2007 stock assessment current stock size is estimated to be above B

to decline at current catch levels. It is not known if recent landings and the current TACCs are

sustainable, or are at levels which will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support

the MSY.

LIN 3 & 4

Based on the 2007 stock assessment current stock size is estimated to be well above B

building. Catches at the level of the current TACC are likely to be sustainable.

LIN 5 & 6

Based on the 2007 assessment ling stocks LIN 5 and LIN 6 (but excluding fish on the Bounty

Plateau) are probably only lightly fished and current stock sizes are estimated to be well above

B

unlikely to have been lower than 200 000 t. It is likely that the current TACC is sustainable, as

current catches appear to be having only a small impact on biomass levels. The assessment is

indicative of surplus ling production being available, at least in the short to medium term.

LIN 6B (Bounty Plateau)

The ling stock on the Bounty Plateau (part of the LIN 6 Fishstock) is estimated to be well above

B

estimate. Annual extractions have never exceeded the 2006 estimate of CAY. There is no separate

TACC for this stock.

LIN 7WC (west coast South Island only)

The assessment did not include ling from the Cook Strait section of QMA 7, which produces

about 5% of the LIN 7 landings and is believed to be a distinct biological stock. Based on the

2005 assessment the status of the LIN 7WC stock is highly uncertain. It is not known if recent

landings are sustainable, or are at levels which will allow the stocks to move towards a size that

will support the MSY. The stock assessment model results did not provide reliable estimates of

current biomass as a percentage of B

relatively flat CPUE indices suggest that future catches at the current level are probably

sustainable, at least in the short term. (See LIN 2 above for the stock status of the Cook Strait

component of Fishstock LIN 7.)

longline fisheries. In October 2002, the TACC for LIN 1 was increased to 400 t within the AMP.

The biological stock affinities of ling in LIN 1 are unknown.