Information briefs and risk analyses for species under consideration ...

Risk analysis and evaluation
STOCK: Javelinfish (Lepidorhynchus denticulatus)
Severity/likelihood risk analysis:
Generic objective 1: Risk to maintaining the potential of the stock to meet the
reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.
Analysis:
Significant quantities of javelinfish are taken annually with over 5,000 tonnes taken in 2006/07. There is no
obvious trend in the annual catch of this species although there may be a decrease since 2003/04.
There is no target fishery for javelinfish and most of the catch is taken as a bycatch of the hoki fishery. The
apparent decrease in catch of javelinfish since 2003/04 may be due to a decrease in the TAC of hoki.
While the level of risk to javelinfish stocks is difficult to assess it is clearly a widely
distributed and locally abundant species.
Severity of impact (low, medium or high): Low
Likelihood of impact (low, medium or high): Low
Risk score (1-9) : 1
Generic objective 2: Risk to avoiding, remedying or mitigating any adverse effects of
fishing on the aquatic environment.
Analysis:
Although most catches of javelinfish are taken by bottom trawl this catch is incidental to the targeted take of
QMS species – predominantly hoki and scampi. As there is no target fishery for this species the risk of adverse
effects on the aquatic environment from catch of javelinfish under an open access management regime is low.
Nothing is known of the habitat interactions or of the ecosystem role of javelinfish. Its widespread distribution
and abundance suggests it has some function in the marine ecosystem.
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