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

Generic objective 2: Risk to avoiding, remedying or mitigating any adverse effects of
fishing on the aquatic environment.
Analysis:
The risk of adverse effects on the aquatic environment from catch of redbait under an open access management
regime is low as there is only a limited target fishery for the species.
There are however environmental effects related to the principal target fisheries that take redbait – primarily
relating to seabird and marine mammal interactions. There may therefore be environmental effects associated
with a redbait target fishery should one develop in the future.
Nothing is known of the ecosystem role of redbait.
Severity of impact (low, medium or high) : Low
Likelihood of impact (low, medium or high) : Low
Risk score (1-9) : 1
Generic objective 3: Risk to providing access that enables social, cultural and
economic wellbeing.
Analysis:
There is no evidence that a target fishery is developing as the amount targeted has remained low and stable in
recent years, and there is no increasing trend in total catch. However the increasing amount of product landed
dressed or green rather than mealed suggests that a market for redbait is developing. There may be potential for
development of a target fishery.
As an open access fishery there are no barriers to utilisation of this species but security of ownership of the
resource may enhance fishery development and the economic wellbeing of those investing in fishery
development.
There is no information available to suggest a recreational or customary fishery for redbait.
Redbait was considered for introduction into the QMS on 1 October 2004, however the Minister declined to
introduce the species. At that time he considered it appropriate to continue to manage the species outside the
QMS until such time as more explicit sustainability or utilisation issues were identified that warranted active
management.
Severity of impact (low, medium or high) : Medium
Likelihood of impact (low, medium or high) : Low
Risk score (1-9) : 3
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