Hoki: status of the stock
In recent years information about the hoki stock has shown that the biomass (the total amount of hoki) for the western
stock (the stock of the west coast and the south of the South Island) is below an acceptable level.
Hoki is sold in New Zealand and overseas.
Recent surveys from some of the fisheries have shown an
increase in biomass and results from the 2008 stock assessment
suggest there have also been improvements to the size of the
western stock.
For around 10 years, the western hoki stock has had poor
spawning success, resulting in fewer young fish in the population.
This has an effect on how many fish can be caught without
affecting sustainability.
After the 2007 stock assessment, the Minister of Fisheries,
Jim Anderton, decided to reduce the hoki total allowable
commercial catch (TACC) from 100,000 tonnes to 90,000 tonnes.
The Minister also requested that the fishing industry reduce the
amount of hoki they catch from the western stock to help it to
rebuild.
Industry has also brought in measures to help the stock rebuild,
which include closing certain areas to hoki fishing to protect the
juvenile fish.
This should allow the small fish to grow to a large enough size so
that they can spawn and help increase the size of the stock.
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