Flatfish/Flounder: Quick Facts
Scientific name: rhomosolea retiaria (black flounder), R. leporine (yellowbelly flounder), R. plebeian (dab/sand flounder), R. tairina (greenback flounder), Colistium guntheri (brill), C. nudipinnis (turbot), Pelotretis flaviatus (lemon sole), Peltorhamphus novaezealandiae (NZ sole).
Other names: Paatikitotara (Maori: yellow-belly flounder), paatiki (Maori: sand flounder, greenback flounder, NZ sole), paatikimohoao (Maori: black flounder), kutuhori, paatiki rore, pakeke (Maori: NZ sole), patikinui (Maori: brill), paatiki nui (Maori: turbot).
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Best Fish Guide: Flatfish/Flounder/Sole/Brill
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Alternative Choice: Trevally or Tarakihi
Description: These eight flatfish species grow rapidly and are caught mainly by inshore bottom trawling, with smaller amounts in set nets and smaller beach drag nets. Sand flounder is the most abundant species and is found only in New Zealand. Main fishing areas and species are: Firth of Thames, Kaipara and Manukau Harbours (Yellow-belly flounder); Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty (Sand Flounder); Tasman/Golden Bay (Sand flounder); Canterbury Bight (Sand flounder, Greenback flounder, black flounder and NZ Sole); West Coast South Island (Lemon Sole, NZ Sole, Brill and Turbot); Otago (Lemon Sole and NZ Sole); Southland (Lemon Sole and Greenback flounder).
Ecological concerns: Management of eight species as one fishstock, uncertain stock structures and sustainability of catch limits plus limited research (uncertain age of the fish when caught, lack of basic biological data for some of the species and absence of yield estimates), “high grading” of fish and discarding small fish, and the lack of a management plan. Bottom trawling causes serious damage to benthic species and communities, whilst set netting is associated with bycatch of endangered Hector’s dolphins, other marine mammals, seabirds, sharks and other non-target fish. Flatfish fishing is not covered by current controls and the absence of observers on vessels increae the risk of bycatch. Flatfish trawling is assessed as possibly New Zealand’s worst fishery for impacts on seabirds with over 6500 potential fatalities.
Economic value: New Zealand market plus exports of $8 million (2008), mainly to Australia, China and Spain.
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (8 species) (score B)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D)
Management and management unit (score D and E)
For a full ecological assessment click here
