Seafood to Avoid Moonfish Scientific name: Lampris guttatus Other names: Opah Ranking: E (Red - Avoid)

Icon Explanations

The main concerns with this fishery are: the uncertainty of some basic biological information, uncertainty about the state of the stocks, basic biology, the bycatch of sharks, seabirds and fur seals, and the lack of a stock assessment, or a management plan. There are also ecological concerns given removal of this large predator species from the food web.

The fishery assessment plenary report states: "While moonfish appear to have moderately productive life history characteristics, the stock status is unknown. It is not known if recent catch levels are sustainable or whether they are at levels that will allow the stock(s) to move towards a size that will support the maximum sustainable yield." (Ministry of Fisheries, 2007, p467).

Market: East Asia.

Status and sustainable yield
Status: Uncertain.
Annual catch limit: Set at 527 tonnes in 2004.
Recorded catch: Latest reported annual landings of 79 tonnes in 2005-06, the lowest reported landings in over 10 years.
Population size: South Pacific migratory population.
Stock trends: Uncertain.

Fishing method
Method: Longlining around the North Island.
Habitat damage: Low.
Bycatch:Sharks, seabirds and New Zealand fur seals are caught in the longline fishery. About 70 percent of moonfish caught are mature.
Ecological effects: Removal of predator species as bycatch in the longline fishery.

Management
Stock assessment: Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment.
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes added in 2004.

Biology
Distribution: Moonfish are caught mainly by pelagic longline vessels on the west coast of the North Island and East Coast.
Maximum age (years): 14-20
Age at sexual maturity: 4-5?
Growth rate: Medium-high.
Reproductive output: Medium-high.
Age exploited: 2

References:Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2007: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 2: Hake to Paua, Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, Revised Edition 1990, NZ Fishing Industry Board.

This page was updated on 9 November, 2007