Sea perch/Scarpee: Quick Facts
Scientific name: Helicolenus percoides
Other names: matuawhapuku, pohuikaroa, puaihakua (Maori), jock stewart, scarpee, deepsea perch, ocean perch.
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Best Fish Guide: Sea perch/Scarpee
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Alternative Choice: Blue cod
Description: Sea perch is a relatively slow growing, long-lived fish (up to 45 years) that is related to scorpionfish. It is widely distributed around New Zealand, ranging from just a few metres water depth to very deep waters (1200m). It is mostly caught as bycatch in red cod and hoki trawl fisheries off the east coast of the South Island, including the Chatham Rise. A small targeted catch comes from some central and southern line fisheries, including the groper fishery and a small bycatch comes from bottom longlining.
Ecological concerns: The lack of a quantitative stock assessment, the unknown sustainability of current catch levels (particularly given it is a long-lived species) and the lack of a management plan. Also of concern are the destructive impacts of bottom trawling on fragile deepwater habitats and species and the capture of non-target fish, seabirds and marine mammals associated with other fisheries.
Economic value: Sea perch are sold in New Zealand and exported to Australia, Japan and Korea at a value of $1million (in 2008)
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (score D)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score E)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and C)
Management and management unit (score D and C)
For a full ecological assessment, click here
