Fishing for oysters in Foveaux Strait does not allow for tow-by-tow reporting of bycatch and oyster discards. These data were estimated from stratified sampling in February 2022. Oyster discards above and below legal size during the 2021 season were relatively low (< 3%). Live bycatch was a small proportion of dredge contents, represented 65 taxa (most of negligible weight). Non-QMS species (86.2%) mostly 2 species, bryozoans-sponges (2.4%), and QMS species (11.4%, mostly SUR and some SSC).

This project developed an operating stock assessment model and tested management procedures for pāua quota management area (QMA) PAU 4. Spatial length-based models were conditioned on assumed catch time series, producing stock trajectories and assumed status. Application of control rules led to variable outcomes at the statistical-area scale, but averaged out at a larger scale; trends were stable at the QMA-scale, with a low risk of further declines under trialled harvest control rules.

The present project developed models and tested management options for PAU 3A as the pāua fishery rebuilds following the Kaikōura earthquake. The modelling focused on key uncertainties, including earthquake impacts and recovery, and the developments of recreational catch over time. Depending on the model-fitting strategy and earthquake impacts, tested commercial harvest strategies, combined with recreational harvest scenarios, led to relatively stable, or declining fisheries.

KPMG was commissioned by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to evaluate Te Uru Rakau's (TUR) enablement of he 1 Billion Trees fund (1BT) outcomes.

The scope of this evaluation covers TUR's role in effectively optimising and enabling 1BT's ability to deliver the programme outcomes, not the achievement of the specific outcomes themselves.

This study attempted to fit stock assessment models and test potential management procedures for pāua (Haliotis iris) stock in quota management area (QMA) PAU 3B. A flat or increasing catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) prevented the fitting of stock assessment models, leading to the use of CPUE relative to CPUE in other QMAs. This approach suggested a relatively low exploitation rate, high stock status near 60% of unfished biomass, and continued low exploitation from proposed harvest control rules.