Collated analyses for 10 trawl survey series were assessed to judge which provided sufficiently reliable relative abundance time series for partial quantitative assessment of rough skate (Zearaja nasuta, RSK) and/or smooth skate (Dipturus innominatus, SSK). Putative assessments were conducted using six survey series. Two assessments were accepted as the basis for forming advice, for RSK in quota management area 3 (RSK 3), and SSK in quota management area 7 (SSK 7).

Spatially explicit set net fishing effort back to 1931 was predicted by combining data on current and historical set net fishing. The results reflect that up to 1960, set netting was restricted the west coast of the North Island, Hauraki Gulf, Marlborough Sounds, and Banks Peninsula. The use of nylon monofilament nets, other gear improvements, and incentives to fish for species such as rig (Mustelus lenticulatus) resulted in the expansion of set netting across New Zealand and further offshore.

The commercial eel (longfin, Anguilla dieffenbachii; shortfin, A. australis) monitoring programme captures processor recorded data from individual landings throughout New Zealand on eel catch weights, species composition, size grades, and catch location at the catchment level. This report provides detailed results from the 2018–19 to 2020–21 fishing years and also examines trends in the North Island and South Island time series from 2003–04 to 2020–21.

This report gives a protocol for Type 1 monitoring of Marlborough Sounds salmon farms and fits within broader best management practice guidelines for assessing benthic enrichment. It provides a standardised approach for science providers who undertake rapid benthic health assessments around these farms. Type 1 monitoring is the least intense form of monitoring with greater emphasis on qualitative indicator variables that can be rapidly evaluated enabling quick feedback on benthic health.

This is a guidance document to inform the development and implementation of benthic monitoring of salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. It was first published in 2015, revised in 2019, and further revised in this version after an out-of-cycle review in 2022. It aims to provide consistent and clear requirements for the benthic monitoring and management of existing farms, based around an agreed set of environmental quality standards with accompanying rationale.

An acoustic survey of the orange roughy (Hoplosthethus atlanticus) stocks off the Mid-East Coast of the North Island was carried out in June 2021 by NIWA onboard research vessel Tangaroa. The survey was conducted using deep-towed acoustic systems which combine narrow and broadband echosounders and operate dual frequencies. Mark-identification trawls were carried out to collect biological data, track the progression of the spawning, and inform the species composition of the spawning aggregations.

This report describes the results of the blue cod (Parapercis colias) random-site potting survey carried out in Marlborough Sounds in October 2021. Estimates are provided for population abundance, size and age structure, sex ratio, total mortality (Z), and spawner biomass-per-recruit ratio. This is the third full random-site blue cod survey carried out in the Marlborough Sounds and the tenth survey overall, with nine fixed-site surveys carried out between 1995 and 2017.

This report describes the results of the blue cod (Parapercis colias) random-site potting survey carried out in Marlborough Sounds in October 2021. Estimates are provided for population abundance, size and age structure, sex ratio, total mortality (Z), and spawner biomass-per-recruit ratio. This is the third full random-site blue cod survey carried out in the Marlborough Sounds and the tenth survey overall, with nine fixed-site surveys carried out between 1995 and 2017.

This report updates the Mid-East Coast orange roughy stock assessment for 2022. The fishery, observational data from trawl surveys, acoustic surveys, and age and length composition data, and the assessment model structure and assumptions are described. The stock was estimated to be below the depletion target range but slowly rebuilding. A hypothesis of skipped spawning was used to explain a high estimated age of first spawning. The assessment was accepted for providing scientific advice.

Commercial purse seine landings of Trachurus novaezelandiae from the Bay of Plenty purse seine fishery were sampled from length and age throughout the 2019–20 and 2020–21 fishing years. Catch curve total mortality estimates derived from the resulting age distributions suggest that levels of fishing mortality were sustainable in the areas fished. Age-length and length-weight parameter estimates are also provided by this report; these should be used instead of existing estimates for this species.