Frostfish: Quick Facts
Scientific name: Lepidopus caudatus
Other names: tiikati, paara, hikau, para-taharangi (Maori), Cutlassfish
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Best Fish Guide: Frostfish
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Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns)
Alternative choice: No alternative
Description: This relatively short-lived species is widely distributed around the world. In New Zealand it is normally found over the outer shelf in waters 200 – 500m deep. It is mainly caught as bycatch (more than 90%) in trawl fisheries for jack mackerel and hoki, and to a lesser extent in the arrow squid, barracouta and gemfish fisheries. Half are caught off the West Coast of the South Island and Taranaki Bight in mid-water trawl fisheries.
Ecological concerns: Lack of research (including the absence of some basic biological information), the unknown sustainability of recent catches and the uncertainty about stock structure plus the lack of a management plan. As a bycatch species of other fisheries, marine mammals, non-target fish and impacts on seabed communities are also serious concerns.
Economic value: Exported principally to Korea.
Biology and risk of overfishing (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 E and C)
For a full ecological assessment click here
