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Seafood with Concerns
FrostfishScientific name: Lepidopus caudatus
Other names: tiikati, paara,
hikau, para-taharangi (Maori), Cutlassfish
Ranking: D (Amber -
Concerns)
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Description: This comparatively short-lived species is widely distributed around the world. In New Zealand it is mainly caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries for jack mackerel and hoki, and to a lesser extent arrow squid, barracouta and gemfish. Most are caught off the West Coast of the South Island and Taranaki Bight in mid-water trawl fisheries.
The main concerns with this fishery are: the lack of reliable data in some basic areas, absence of research, the lack of a management plan, the unknown sustainability of recent catches, the uncertainty about stock structure, and the absence of some basic biological information. As a bycatch species of other fisheries, marine mammals, non-target fish and impacts on benthic (seabed) communities are also serious concerns.
The fishery assessment plenary report states: "Estimates of current and reference biomass are not available. The stock structure is uncertain, the fishery is variable and almost entirely a bycatch of other target fisheries, and there are no age data or estimates of abundance available. It is therefore not possible to estimate yields. It is not known if recent catches are sustainable or whether they are at levels that will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield." (MFish, 2007, p266).
Market: Includes Asia.
Status and sustainable yield
Status: Unknown.
Annual catch limit: Set at 3,858 tonnes in 2001-02.
Recorded catch:Reported landings of 2119 tonnes in 2005-06.
Population size: Unknown.
Stock trends: Unknown.
Fishing method
Method: Mainly mid-water trawl fishing.
Habitat damage: Impact of trawling on benthic communities in the hoki fishery.
Bycatch: Caught as bycatch in the hoki and jack mackerel fisheries including fur seals and common dolphins. Less than 10% is target fished.
Ecological effects: The effect of this fishery combined with the hoki and jack mackerel fisheries.
Management
Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments.
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1998.
Biology
Distribution: Widely dispersed around New Zealand but mainly caught off the west coasts of both main islands.
Maximum age (years): 8
Age at sexual maturity: Unknown.
Growth rate: High.
Reproductive output: High.
Size/age exploited: Unknown.
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 |
