Groper: Quick Facts
Scientific name: Polyprion oxygeneios (groper) and Polyprion americanus (Bass)
Other names: hakuraa, kapua, kauaeroa, kawerai, kuparu, moeone, whaapuku, toti (Maori), sea bass, wrackbarsch (Germany), wreckfish (USA), hata, ara (Japan).
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Best Fish Guide: Groper
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Alternative Choice: Kingfish or Trevally
Description: These two long-lived, slow growing species of sea bass are found around New Zealand, though Bass is also found in many temperate oceans around the world. Bass is more common in the north and ranges into deeper water (up to 800m) than grouper (up to 400m). They are mainly caught in deep underwater canyons off the East Coast of the North Island, Cook Strait, Kaikoura and the West Coast of the South Island. Once commonly caught inshore and an important coastal predator, groper have now almost disappeared from diving depths.
Ecological concerns: The management of two species as one quota species, the uncertainty and conflict over stock boundaries, limited research (including a lack of information on sustainable yields and uncertainty over basic biological information for bass). Other concerns include the lack of a management plan, the decline in reported landings in recent years and the unknown sustainability of the current catch limit. Bycatch of other fish species is also of concern as is the loss of these ecologically important species, particularly hapuku, which is a prey species for sperm whales.
Economic value: Export value of about $4million in 2008 mainly to Australia, Japan and United States.
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (score D)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and B)
Management and management unit (score E and E)
For a full ecological assessment click here
