Seafood to Avoid Southern blue whiting Scientific name: Micromesistius australis Other names: Southern poutassou, merlan bleu austral (France, Canada), blauer wittling (Germany) Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)

Icon Explanations

The main concerns with this fishery are: the recorded and projected declines in biomass for two stocks (Campbell and Bounty's), the unknown sustainability of current catch limits in the two other stocks, the impact of bottom trawling, the bycatch of NZ fur seals, especially around the Bounty Islands, the deaths of seabirds and the lack of a management plan.

The fishery assessment plenary report states: Campbell Islands stock : "For the base case the B2006 was estimated to be 78,000t corresponding to 30%Bo [BMAY is 34%]. The assessment is much more optimistic that the equivalent stock assessment presented in 2006, particularly in the projections, as stock size is not predicted to decrease with future catches of 20,000 tonnes (current TACC). Bounty Platform stock : "The model [base case] indicates that the median estimate of B2003 is 30% of Bo [BMAY is 36%]. At catches of the current TACC (3500t)the biomass is projected to increase slightly. Pukaki Stock "this stock has only been lightly exploited since 1993 and likely to be above the level that will support the MAY"; and Auckland Islands stock "it is unknown if recent catches are sustainable or if they will allow the stocks to move towards a size that will support the MSY [maximum sustainable yield]" (MFish, 2007, p891).

Market: Export value of about $9 million with the main markets in Japan, Bulgaria, Australia and China 2. Also used to make crabsticks or surimi.

Status and sustainable yield
Status: Of the four stocks, Bounty Platform and Campbell Island stocks are depleted. The biomass of the Pukaki Rise stock is thought to be stable while the sustainability of current catch limits in the Auckland Islands stock is unknown.
Annual catch limit: Set at 30,640 tonnes in 2006-07 Ð the lowest limit in 15 years.
Recorded catch: Reported landings of 25,279 tonnes in 2006-07.
Population size: Below BMAY for the Bounty Island and Campbell Island stocks and highly uncertain or unknown for other areas.
Stock trends: The Bounty Platform stock is depleted while the Campbell Islands stock is declining having more than doubled since 1991, which is the lowest stock size on record. The Bounty Platform stock and Campbell Island stocks are depleted.. The biomass of the Pukaki Rise stock is thought to be stable while the sustainability of current catch limits in the Auckland Islands stock is unknown.

Fishing method
Method: Trawling mainly by chartered vessels.
Habitat damage: Impact of trawling on bottom dwelling species and habitat.
Bycatch: NZ fur seals especially around the Bounty Islands and seabird bycatch by trawlers. Also the bycatch of other fish species.
Ecological effects: mpact of trawling on bottom dwelling species and young southern blue whiting is an important food for globally threatened yellow-eyed penguin and formed the bulk of the food of globally threatened black-browed albatross (Diomedea melanophrys impavida ) during the chick-rearing period (Cherel et al 1999).

Management
Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments for all areas except Auckland Islands. Delay in surveys will delay assessments.
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1999 (1 November).

Biology
Distribution: Restricted to Sub-Antarctic waters. This species is abundant south of New Zealand on the Campbell Plateau and Pukaki Rise at depths of 300-600m.
Maximum age (years): 25
Age at sexual maturity: 2-4
Growth rate: Moderate.
Reproductive output: Medium to low.
Age exploited: 3-4

This page was updated on 9 November, 2007