We regularly assess New Zealand fish stocks and compare them against 4 performance measures. Get the latest results on the status of our fish stocks.
The Fisheries Act 1996, Fisheries New Zealand's Harvest Strategy Standard (HSS) and several other official documents provide guidance on the performance measures used when assessing and managing fish stocks under the Quota Management System (QMS).
Each year, we convene many Stock Assessment Working Group meetings to assess the status of fish stocks using:
Stocks are assessed against 4 performance measures:
The diagram below illustrates the relationship between the 4 performance measures. The trace of stock abundance is the result of fishing at the overfishing threshold. Stock abundance fluctuates around the management target and sometimes approaches the soft limit but never goes below this level and stays far above the hard limit. Management action to ensure the stock continues to fluctuate around the management target would normally be taken at all points where the stock dips too far below the target.
All performance measures are important, but the key performance measure for determining the status of New Zealand’s fish stocks is the soft limit. A soft limit is a biomass level below which a stock is deemed to be overfished or depleted, resulting in potential sustainability concerns. We know the status of 152 stocks relative to the soft limit.
Most of our fish stocks of known status are in good shape (above the soft limit):
Of the 133 fish stocks that were above the soft limit in 2023, 109 (82%) were also at or above their management targets.
The 2023 stock status table shows the status of 401 of New Zealand's main fish stocks (or sub-stocks).
A graphic summarising the information in the 2023 stock status table can be found below, noting that this only includes stocks for which all 4 performance measures are known.
Of the 401 fish stocks or sub-stocks included:
We haven't included 293 QMS fish stocks that:
Fisheries New Zealand is serious about protecting New Zealand's fisheries. We carry out research on fish stocks regularly. It helps us make sure they're healthy and sustainable.
Technology allows scientists to accurately estimate the distribution and size of many fish populations. This research helps the Government set annual catch limits and other management measures to ensure fishers don't catch too much. If the research shows that fish numbers have grown, catch limits may be increased. If estimated fish numbers have decreased, then catch limits may be reduced and other management measures introduced.
Nineteen (19) stocks or sub-stocks are below the soft limit, meaning they are overfished or depleted:
We're managing fisheries on overfished stocks so that they will rebuild towards target levels, for example by:
Each year, we publish a summary of all the available information on our fisheries and the status of each fish stock in 2 fisheries assessment plenary reports. The main report is published in May (3 volumes), and a second report for rock lobsters, oysters, scallops and highly migratory species (1 volume) is published in November.
If you have questions about fish stock status, email info@mpi.govt.nz