Inshore trawl surveys off the west coast North Island using RV Kaharoa resumed in 2018 after nearly 20 years. Where inshore strata areas now overlap a commercial trawl exclusion zone as part of the Māui dolphin Threat Management Plan they are excluded from the new survey area. Historical survey data were analysed to assess the impact of these changes on the ability to monitor adult biomass of target species. The utility of the time series was reviewed for target and some non-target species.

This report updates the information on annual patterns of settlement for the red rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) on crevice collectors at seven key sites for the 2021–22 fishing year. Record high settlement was recorded at Castlepoint and above average settlement was recorded at Kaikōura and Moeraki. Gisborne and Halfmoon Bay were just above their long-term means, and Napier and Jackson Bay were below their long-term means