This report describes photo/trawl surveys of the SCI 1 and SCI 2 fisheries, undertaken in February 2021. While most of the derived indices suggest increases in abundance in SCI 1 and SCI 2 since 2018, corrections for changes in reader interpretations of reference set images over time suggest declines in burrow abundance in both areas. The SCI 2 trawl index also suggests a decline in abundance in this area. Over 3700 scampi were tagged during these surveys, to investigate growth.

This report describes the results of the random-site blue cod (Parapercis colias) potting survey carried out off Banks Peninsula in April 2021. Estimates are provided for population abundance, size and age structure, sex ratio, total mortality (Z), and spawner biomass-per-recruit ratio. In addition, results are presented for surveys carried out in two Banks Peninsula marine reserves (Pohatu and Akaroa).

The 22nd acoustic survey of spawning hoki abundance in Cook Strait was carried out using the research vessel Kaharoa from 19 July to 22 August 2021. Six acoustic snapshots gave an acoustic abundance index of hoki for Cook Strait in 2021 of 159 000 t. Spawning areas off the east coast South Island (ECSI) were also surveyed in 2021 using RV Kaharoa and the industry vessel San Granit. The average acoustic estimate for Pegasus Canyon, the major eastern spawning area off the ECSI, was 102 000 t.

This is the sampling plan for the Food Residues Survey Programme from July 2022 to June 2023 for plant products. It covers selected foods that are available to the New Zealand consumers during that period.

Keywords: FRSP, food residues, plant foods, 2022-2023, sampling plan, food residues survey programme

A bottom trawl survey of the east coast South Island (ECSI) at 10–400 m depths was carried out using R.V. Kaharoa (trip code KAH2104) from 28 April to 12 June 2021. The core (30–400 m) survey was the thirteenth in the winter ECSI inshore time series (1991–1994, 1996, 2007–2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021). Four shallow strata (10–30 m), included in 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018, were again surveyed in 2021 to monitor elephantfish and red gurnard over their full depth range.

A stock assessment was developed for GUR 7 integrating annual catches and Kaharoa WCSI trawl survey biomass indices and associated length and age compositions. The assessment model estimated that stock abundance increased considerably from 2010 following higher levels of recruitment during 2008–2019. For all model options, current (2021) stock status was estimated to be at about the equilibrium, unexploited biomass level (i.e., SB0). A range of potential management procedures were evaluated.

Recent trends in the GUR 3 fishery are summarised and standardised CPUE indices are derived for the main trawl fisheries. A stock assessment model was developed for GUR 3 incorporating trawl survey biomass indices and composition data and the CPUE indices. The assessment model estimated that stock abundance increased considerably from the late 2000s. Current (2021) stock status was estimated to be 51–68% SB0, well above the interim target biomass level.

To develop an assessment approach using spatially explicit catch, abundance, and harvest rate estimates for inshore finfish stocks, spatial patterns of relative density were estimated fitting research vessel survey data to environmental covariates using Generalised Additive Models for nine species. The density estimates were converted to absolute abundance using estimates of research survey catching efficiency. In addition, the eSAFE method used the relative density estimates directly.

The 2016 Kaikōura earthquake had massive impacts on pāua populations, resulting in the 4-year closure of the local pāua fishery. Surveys were undertaken over the last four years to monitor pāua population recovery. Increases in adult pāua abundance and post-earthquake recruitment were observed across the fishery. These findings supported the Minster’s decision to re-open the fishery for 3 months on the 1st of December 2021 and ongoing monitoring will assist future management decisions.

This report details the results of a bottom trawl survey of the west coast South Island in 20–400 m depth and in Tasman Bay and Golden Bay in 10–70 m depth carried out using RV Kaharoa (KAH2103) in March–April 2021. This was the fifteenth survey since 1992 optimised to estimate abundance of red gurnard, red cod, giant stargazer, spiny dogfish, and tarakihi in core strata (20–400 m) and the third survey since 2017 optimised to estimate snapper only in 10–400 m.

The estimated year class strength (YCS) of 1+ and 2+ snapper from a November 2020 (Hauraki Gulf) and February 2021 (Bay of Plenty) trawl survey were all well above the long-term average. Coefficients of variation (CV) for pre-recruit snapper were reasonable, except for 1+ snapper in the Bay of Plenty (CV = 38.5%). Surveys used a stratified two-phase design optimised for pre-recruit snapper. These surveys may also have potential to monitor abundance of recruit snapper and other inshore species.

This report presents available New Zealand commercial fishery catch-at-age data for hake (Merluccius australis) caught by trawl and ling (Genypterus blacodes) caught by trawl and longline, up to the 2019–20 fishing year, and bottom trawl survey catch-at-age data sets for both species up to the summer 2020-21.