Fisheries Infosite

Region - South-East Coast (FMA 3)


The Southeast Region is nationally significant for its commercial red cod, elephant fish, rock lobster and paua fisheries.

Most of New Zealand’s red (Akaroa) cod are caught by inshore trawlers that land their catch into Lyttelton, Timaru and Port Chalmers. Red cod, flatfish and tarakihi are the key species targeted by this fleet.

The inshore fleet also catches a lot of elephant fish, red gurnard and a variety of small sharks.

The rocky coasts of Kaikoura and Otago support significant rock lobster and blue cod fisheries and important paua fisheries. There are also some small fisheries in the Southeast Region for cockles and surf clams.