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Seafood with Concerns
SpratsScientific name: Sprattus antipodum, S muelleri
Other names: kupae, marakuha, patete (Maori), New Zealand herring, sardine
Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns)
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Description:
Description: Sprats are related to sardines and herrings and are caught in a minor and intermittent fishery. Jointly with kina, anchovy and pilchard, sprats have the highest ecological ranking of any commercial fishery in New Zealand.
The main concerns with this fishery are: that there is a lack of basic biological data for both species, the impact of trawling on benthic species, the lack of a quantitative stock assessment and the lack of a management plan. There is some concern that the impact of fishing this species on predator species, such as marine mammals, seabirds, and larger fish, has not yet been assessed.
The fishery assessment plenary report states: No estimates of current biomass are available. At the present level of minimal catches, stocks are at or close to their natural level. This is nominally a virgin biomass, but not necessarily a stable one." (MFish 2007 p916).
Market: Includes New Zealand.
Status and sustainable yield
Status: Unknown.
Annual catch limit: Set at 450 tonnes in 2002.
Recorded catch: 1 tonnes in 2005-06. During the 1990s reported catches ranged from less than 1 tonne to 7 tonnes.
Population size: Unknown.
Stock trends: Unknown.
Fishing method
Method: Mainly bottom trawl but also set net and beach seine.
Habitat damage: Impact of bottom trawling on bottom habitat and species diversity.
Bycatch: Associated with pilchard in the south, and trawl bycatch species.
Ecological effects: This is an important food species for larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Excessive localised harvesting may disrupt ecosystems.
Management
Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment.
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes since 2002.
Biology (both species)
Distribution: Pelagic and common in inshore waters around the South Island and in localized shoals around the North Island.
Maximum age (years): Unknown
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 3: Pilchard to Yellow-eyed Mullet. 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 | 
