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.

The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake had massive impacts on paua populations, resulting in the 4-year closure of the local paua fishery. Surveys were undertaken over the last five years to monitor paua population recovery. An increase in adult paua abundance and post-earthquake recruitment has been observed across the fishery. These findings and ongoing monitoring will be used to support decisions around future re-opening and management of the fishery.

As part of the development of spatially explicit fisheries risk assessment methodologies for chondrichthyans, spatial distribution modelling methodologies were tested on carpet shark, school shark, great white shark, and green turtle as well as on one simulated dataset. Eight recommendations were made for future distribution models including the need to model a year x space interaction as well as both the probability of presence and catch rate, and the usefulness of simulations.

Low-relief red-algae turf extends over about 40% of sandy seafloors of ‘Ipipiri Platform’ in eastern Bay of Islands, its spatial extent apparently steady over recent decades. In contrast, the extent of the subtidal seagrass (presently about 5%) has apparently varied substantially. Subtidal seagrass is rare today, and the algal-turf biome is undescribed elsewhere. These bottom-stabilising vegetative biomes are probably the long-term surficial ecological communities of recent geological times.

A survey of Foveaux Strait oysters (OYU 5) in February 2022 found commercial-sized, recruit, and pre-recruit oysters decreased 30.5%, 30.4%, and 24.0%, respectively, since 2021. These decreases cannot be explained by landings, disease, or survey variation. Reduced sampling efficiency due to storm driven changes to the seabed is most likely. Small oysters increased 2.3% and spat settlement was high. Bonamia infection was 6.6%, non-fatal infections 1.0%, and summer mortality 5.0%—similar to 2021.

The 27th trawl survey (4 Jan to 3 Feb 2022) on the Chatham Rise in 200–1300 m depths estimated the relative biomass of hoki and 54 other species. Estimated hoki biomass in core (200–800 m) strata was 97 419 t (CV 10.1%), a 9% increase from 2020. This increase was largely driven by an above average estimate for 2+ (2019 year class) hoki. The biomass of 1+ hoki (2020 year class) was low; the biomass of hoki ages 3+ and older increased by 8%.