Seafood to Avoid Trumpeter Scientific name: Latris lineata Other names: porae, koekohe, kohikohi (Maori), striped trumpeter Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)

Icon Explanations

The main concerns with this fishery are: the absence of basic biological information, the unknown sustainability of recent catch levels, the absence of current or reference biomass, the lack of a quantitative stock assessment, the uncertainty over stock boundaries and potential for localised populations, and the lack of a management plan. As a bycatch species itself, it is also associated with other non-target fish bycatch.

0The fishery assessment plenary report states: "No estimates of current or reference biomass are available. It is not known if recent catch levels are sustainable or at levels that will allow the stock to move towards a size which will support the MSY [maximum sustainable yield]." (Ministry of Fisheries, 2007, p991).

Market: New Zealand.

Status and sustainable yield
Status: Unknown.
Annual catch limit: Set at 144 tonnes in 2001-02.
Recorded catch: Estimated landings of 88 tonnes in 2005-06.
Population size: Unknown.
Stock trends: Unknown, but a localised population can be quickly fished out. "IfÉlandings are largely dependent on catches from [localised populations] there is a strong likelihood that landings of the order of 100 tonnes will not be sustainable.." (Sullivan et al, 2005, p774).

Fishing method
Method: Mostly caught as bycatch in line-fisheries with some caught in trawl nets and set nets.
Habitat damage: Unknown – same as line fishers.
Bycatch: There is little targeting for trumpeter so it is mostly caught as a bycatch species, associated fish species
Ecological effects: Unknown.

Management
Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessment.
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1998.

Biology
Distribution: Occurs from the Bay of Plenty southwards to the Auckland Islands, but is seldom common.
Maximum age (years): Unknown.
Age at sexual maturity: Unknown.
Growth rate: Likely to be moderate.
Reproductive output: Unknown.
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; MFish Final Position Paper for the 1998-99 Sustainability Round.

This page was updated on 9 November, 2007