OREOS - DRESSED (OEO DRE)

Executive Summary

1. MFish proposes that consideration be given to setting separate CFs for the oreo species Pseudocyttus maculatus (SSO) and Allocyttus niger (BOE) of 2.15 and 2.35 respectively. Analysis of Scientific Observer data collected in recent years indicates there is a clear and significant difference in the CFs for these two species, and sufficient recent sampling to justify setting separate CFs.

Background

2. This paper reviews the conversion factor (CF) from greenweight to the ‘dressed’ (DRE) state for oreos (SSO, BOE, WOE, SOR) (Pseudocyttus maculatus, Allocyttus niger, Allocyttus verrucosus, Neocyttus rhomboidalis). The current CF for this state is 2.25.
3. The dressed state is defined in the Fisheries(Conversion Factors) Notice 2005 as the body of a fish from which the head and gut have been removed with:
   1. The anterior cut being a continuous straight line passing immediately behind the posterior insertions of both pectoral fins;
   2. The forward angle of the anterior cut not less than 90 degrees in relation to the longitudinal axis of the fish;
   3. No part of the tail cut shall be forward of the posterior base of either the hindmost dorsal fin or the hindmost anal fin, whichever is nearer the caudal fin; and
   4. The belly-flap either intact or divided along the ventral midline.
      
4. The CF for ‘trunked or dressed’ OEO was first introduced on 1 October 1986, and was set at 2.40. The state was renamed ‘dressed’ and revised down to 2.25 on 1 October 1991. There has been no revision of the CF since that time.
5. The DRE state is the most common landed state for oreos, accounting for between 55% and 70% of the total landings of oreos, and virtually all of the processed landings.

Rationale for Management Options

6. OEO DRE was landed almost entirely by New Zealand registered vessels in 2002, but vessels of other nations landed an increasing amount over the last two years. The distribution of observer CF sampling was appropriate, with all sampling taking place on New Zealand vessels.
7. Landings of OEO DRE were made in all months of the years 2003–2005, with no real peak in any month across years. Sampling by Scientific Observers was less well spread over the year, but covered all months except for March.
8. Samples of both species states have been collected in every year since 1990, and the annual unweighted CFs have ranged from 2.02 to 2.28 for SSO DRE with an overall CF of 2.17,and from 2.16 to 2.57 for OEO DRE with an overall CF of 2.32. There are no obvious trends in the CFs over time for either species.
9. The analysis is based on a large amount of sampling data which is well representative of the fisheries from which dressed oreos are produced. There is an appropriate emphasis on sampling New Zealand vessels. There is a clear and significant difference in the CFs for dressed oreos for the two species, and sufficient recent sampling to justify establishing separate CFs. The unweighted CF for SSO DRE is 2.15 (rounded to the nearest 0.05), which is equal to the overall value for all years as well as the annual values for the last two calendar years. The month weighted CF for BOE DRE is 2.35 (rounded), which is similar to the all years’ value and the annual values for the last two years.
10. Oreo is currently managed as one stock for the purposes of the Quota Management System. A proposal to set separate CFs for SSO and BOE presents the following issues –
    1. There are 4 oreo species included in “OEO” – if separate CFs are specified for SSO and BOE, CFs would still need to be specified for SOR and WOE (possibly at the current generic CF of 2.25);
    2. The Fisheries (Reporting) Regulations 2001 will need to be amended so that OEO is still used on Monthly Harvesting Returns (MHRs) but SSO and BOE are used on catch effort forms and Licensed Fish Receiver Returns (LFRRs);
    3. MFish will need to run an education campaign to ensure that fishers report properly, with an emphasis on differentiating between the species of OEO.
       
11. MFish invites comment from stakeholder groups on these issues during the CF Working Group discussions.

Preliminary Recommendation

12. MFish recommends that consideration be given to setting separate CFs for the ‘dressed’ state of SSO and BOE of 2.15 and 2.35 respectively.