Download FAR 2024/65 Characterisation and CPUE analyses for the redbait fisheries in RBT 1, RBT 3 and RBT 7 to 2022

Redbait is a small pelagic fish usually taken as a bycatch species in trawl fisheries around New Zealand. Some target fishing has occurred, mostly on the Chatham Rise, since the species was introduced to the Quota Management System in 2009.
Catches of redbait have varied substantially between years. In the largest fishery, in the Chatham Rise, east coast South Island, Southland and sub-Antarctic areas, catches have shown little trend over time. However, catches off the east and west coasts of the North Island and mid-upper South Island have reduced considerably since 2010.
To manage redbait within the Quota Management System, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE)—using data from Fisheries New Zealand observers—is used to track redbait abundance. This suggests that abundance in the southern fishery peaked in 2002, and has also shown an increase during 2016–2022. Off the west coast, redbait abundance was estimated to have been high during 1999–2008, but much lower since 2010.
Stock dynamics of redbait in New Zealand remain unclear. It is possible that the southern fisheries have the youngest redbait and provide a sporadic supply of older fish to the northern fishery areas. Further sampling and ageing is required to better understand redbait stocks.