Dive Pacific 175 Dec2020 Jan 2021

SOUNDINGS
LOCAL NEWS
Snapper researched off North Island’s west coast
People along the Kapiti and
Wanganui coasts may have
spotted NIWA’s research vessel
Kaharoa in close recently as
scientists carried out a survey of
snapper, tarakihi, red gurnard and
John Dory.
The trawl survey was the third and
final in a series to establish how
many fish there are, their ages
and where they are situated in the
fishery known as SNA8, the second
largest of New Zealand’s snapper
fisheries.
Voyage leader and NIWA fisheries
scientist Dr Emma Jones said the
survey was to provide independent
data for comparing with similar
historic surveys to see how the
fishery may have changed.
“The surveys provide data
Hobart’s and Australia’s reputation
as a bulwark for the
environment of Antarctica is at
stake after the controversial killing
machine, the long liner Antarctic
Aurora, docked in Hobart on
November 6th. The view is of the
Bob Brown Foundation.
“Antarctica and sub-Antarctic
oceans are complex ecosystems
that need protection from longline
fishing for toothfish - this ship is
unashamedly on its way to plunder
Antarctica’s marine ecosystem for
private profit,” said Foundation
Campaign Manager Jenny Weber.
completely independent of that
collected from the commercial
fishery. Because we use the same
vessel, same net design and same
protocols, our results are comparable
with results from surveys
carried out 20 years ago.
Dr Jones said the data feeds into
stock assessments determining
whether a fish stock is at a sustainable
level. “The most important
one for this survey is the stock
assessment for snapper off the
west coast of the North Island.
Scientists collected otoliths, or ear
bones, from the fish to determine
their age. Stringent processes were
adopted to minimise the risk of
encountering any Maui dolphins.
The survey was outside the West
Coast Marine Mammal Sanctuary
“We appealed through letters to
the Prime Minister and Tasmanian
Premier to urgently ban this
Antarctic longline fishing ship
from Hobart and all Australian
ports.
“They have failed to prioritise
the protection of the Great White
Continent and its oceans,” she said.
“What happens in Antarctica
has a critical impact on the
global climate. The Bob Brown
Foundation is on the road to launch
a campaign to fight for Antarctica’s
protection from marauding ships
and is only sampling where the
commercial fishing boats are
allowed to fish. A marine mammal
observer on board was to keep
watch for dolphins before and
during trawl activity.
Fisheries New Zealand’s Team
Manager Inshore Fisheries North,
Jacob Hore says the snapper stock
on the North Island’s west coast
is an important shared fishery of
high value to customary, recreational,
and commercial fishers.
Snapper in this fishery has been
steadily rebuilding over the past
15 years, and information from the
survey is to support discussions
on a management review of this
fishery planned for 2021.
Giant Antarctic killing machine not welcome
such as the Antarctic Aurora.
“Its presence in Hobart will give
us a good target to highlight
the problems which continue to
destroy the great southern Oceans
wildness.
“The Antarctica Aurora is
part-owned by former Japanese
whalers. This ship has no place
in Australian waters or any global
oceans.
“Earth’s oceans are in urgent need
of preservation of the remaining
life left in them,” said Jenny Weber.
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