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Seafood with Concerns
Blue mokiScientific name: Latridopsis ciliaris
Other names: moki, moki trumpeter
Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns)
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Description: Blue moki is a comparatively long-lived species found in shallow waters. Landings have declined since the mid-1990s when it was introduced to the Quota Management System (QMS). This species spawns between East Cape and Mahia, and is culturally important for East Cape/Cape Runaway Iwi (Maori tribes).
The main concerns with this fishery are: the reduction in landings since it was introduced to the quota management system, limited research, the lack of a management plan, the uncertainty over stock structure, and the unknown status of stocks and population size.Use of set nets and trawlers may also have impacts on marine mammals, seabed communities and non-target fish species.
The fishery assessment plenary report states: "No estimates of current and reference biomass are available. The current TACCs and recent catch levels are below the estimated MCY, are considered sustainable, and are probably at levels which will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support the MSY." (MFish 2007, p142).
Market: Mostly New Zealand.
Status and sustainable yield
Status: Unknown.
Annual catch limit: Set at 609 tonnes in 2001-2002.
Recorded catch: Reported total landings of 483 tonnes in 2005-2006, below reported annual peak landings in 1970 and 1979 of approximately 960 tonnes.
Population size: Unknown.
Stock trends: Unknown.
Fishing method
Method: Trawling and set nets.
Habitat damage: Impact of bottom trawling on sensitive benthic species.
Bycatch: Range of non-target fish species caught at the same time in both set nets and trawling.
Ecological effects: Loss of habitat due to trawling and removal of large fish due to fishing.
Management
Stock assessment: No quantititative stock assessment.
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1986.
Biology
Distribution: Mainly found around the South Island and the entire east coast of the North Island south of Cape Runaway down to depths of 100m.
Maximum age (years): 33+
Age at sexual maturity: 5-6
Growth rate: Moderate.
Reproductive output: Medium to high.
Age exploited: 5
References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2007: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 1: Albacore to Groper, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, Revised Edition 1990, NZ Fishing Industry Board.
This
page was updated on 6 November, 2005 | 
