Orange Roughy New Zealand

Home , Chatham Rise, Marine mammals as food, Oreosomatidae

Orange Roughy Hoplostethus atlanticus

Image ©Monterey Bay Aquarium

New Zealand Bottom Trawl

July 21, 2014 Andy Woolmer and Jess Woo, Consulting Researcher

About Seafood Watch®

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild- caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the North American marketplace. Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. The program’s mission is to engage and empower consumers and businesses to purchase environmentally responsible seafood fished or farmed in ways that minimize their impact on the environment or are in a credible improvement project with the same goal.

Each sustainability recommendation is supported by a seafood report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program’s Sustainability Criteria to arrive at a recommendation of “Best Choice,” “Good Alternative,” or “Avoid.” In producing the seafood reports, Seafood Watch utilizes research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch research analysts also communicate with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, and members of industry and conservation organizations when evaluating fisheries and aquaculture practices. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, Seafood Watch’s sustainability recommendations and the underlying seafood reports will be updated to reflect these changes. Both the detailed evaluation methodology and the scientific reports, are available on seafoodwatch.org.

For more information about Seafood Watch and seafood reports, please contact the Seafood Watch program at Monterey Bay Aquarium by calling 1-877-229-9990 or visit online at seafoodwatch.org.

Disclaimer Seafood Watch® strives to ensure all its seafood reports and the recommendations contained therein are accurate and reflect the most up-to-date evidence available at time of publication. All our reports are peer-reviewed for accuracy and completeness by external scientists with expertise in ecology, fisheries science or aquaculture. Scientific review, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch program or its recommendations on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report. The program welcomes additional or updated data that can be used for the next revision. Seafood Watch and seafood reports are made possible through a grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Guiding Principles

Seafood Watch® defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether fished1 or farmed, that can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems.

The following guiding principles illustrate the qualities that capture fisheries must possess to be considered sustainable by the Seafood Watch program:

• Stocks are healthy and abundant. • Fishing mortality does not threaten populations or impede the ecological role of any marine life. • The fishery minimizes bycatch. • The fishery is managed to sustain long-term productivity of all impacted species. • The fishery is conducted such that impacts on the seafloor are minimized and the ecological and functional roles of seafloor habitats are maintained. • Fishing activities should not seriously reduce ecosystem services provided by any fished species or result in harmful changes such as trophic cascades, phase shifts, or reduction of genetic diversity.

Based on these guiding principles, Seafood Watch has developed a set of four sustainability criteria to evaluate capture fisheries for the purpose of developing a seafood recommendation for consumers and businesses. These criteria are:

1. Impacts on the species under assessment 2. Impacts on other species 3. Effectiveness of management 4. Habitat and ecosystem impacts

Each criterion includes: • Factors to evaluate and score • Evaluation guidelines to synthesize these factors and to produce a numerical score • A resulting numerical score and rating for that criterion

Once a score and rating has been assigned to each criterion, an overall seafood recommendation is developed on additional evaluation guidelines. Criteria ratings and the overall recommendation are color-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide:

1 “Fish” is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates. 4

Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught or farmed in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife.

Good Alternative/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they’re caught or farmed.

Avoid/Red: Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. 5

Summary

This report assesses the orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) fishery taken by bottom trawl in the New Zealand exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Criterion 1— Impacts of the fishery on stock

The species has a high vulnerability due to slow growth, long lifespan and time taken to mature in excess of 20 years, which leaves it susceptible to overfishing. Stocks are currently below target levels, with many also below limit reference points. Fishing mortality is generally at appropriate levels, but has not been assessed for some of the depleted stocks.

Criterion 2—Impacts on bycatch and retained species

The principal bycatch species in the orange roughy fishery are black and smooth oreos. Like orange roughy, these are vulnerable species in terms of their growth rate. The status of many populations of these species is unknown, but mortality of oreos in the orange roughy fishery is low (less than 10% of the total allowable catch for these species). Other bycatch species include black cardinalfish (which is considered a key species and is managed alongside orange roughy, although present in small quantities as a proportion of the orange roughy catch) and benthic bycatch (including deepwater corals and sponges). The discard rate is very low, with 94% of the catch retained. Coral bycatch is the most significant bycatch concern in the fishery, and is considered a High Concern.

Criterion 3—Effectiveness of fishery management (harvest and bycatch strategies)

The orange roughy fishery is managed under New Zealand's Quota Management System. Research feeds directly into management measures, and there is good enforcement and compliance monitoring, along with stakeholder engagement in most aspects of the system. The long-term effectiveness of the harvest strategy for orange roughy is not currently clear, as the fishery is adjusting from a "fishing down" period (where surplus biomass is taken and fishing mortality is high and relatively unchecked) and is now operating at or near maximum sustainable yield, having initially overshot the management target with most stocks still recovering from overfishing,. The monitoring of ETP bycatch is good, as are the mitigation measures in place, and there is ongoing effort into research and evaluation to further the efficacy of bycatch reduction in the fishery. However, there are ongoing concerns with coral bycatch and there is some controversy around whether the habitat protection measures in place effectively protect corals from the fishery.

Criterion 4—Impacts on habitat and ecosystem The orange roughy fishery scored low on this criterion due to its impact on sensitive habitats, specifically seamounts and associated deep-sea corals. There is, however, some mitigation of benthic impacts, both in the form of benthic protection areas—which cover 30% of the EEZ— and the closure of seamounts to bottom trawling under a management strategy, with compliance monitoring via vessel monitoring systems (VMS). However, the benthic protection areas do not cover a large percentage of orange roughy habitat, and much of the protected areas are below fishable depths. More information is needed on ecosystem effects, but there is research both underway and being planned, which will be incorporated into management of the fishery.

Table of Conservation Concerns and Overall Recommendations

Stock / Fishery Impacts on Impacts on Management Habitat and Overall the Stock other Spp. Ecosystem Recommendation Orange Roughy Red (2.16) Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.740) New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Red (2.16) Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.740) New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Yellow Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.897) New Zealand: ORH2A North (3.05) - East Cape Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Yellow Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.841) New Zealand: ORH2A South, (2.71) ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Green (3.83) Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (2.008) New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Yellow Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.841) New Zealand: ORH3B (2.71) Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom 7

Orange Roughy Red (2.16) Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.740) New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Yellow Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.841) New Zealand: ORH3B (2.71) Puysegur Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Yellow Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.914) New Zealand: ORH7A (3.16) Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom Orange Roughy Yellow Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Red (1.00) Avoid (1.914) New Zealand: ORH7B West (3.16) Coast South Island Southwest Pacific - Trawl, Bottom

Scoring Guide

Scores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing operations have no significant impact.

Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4).

• Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and no Red Criteria, and no Critical scores

• Good Alternative/Yellow = Final score >2.2, and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) are Very High Concern2, and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Critical scores, and does not meet the criteria for Best Choice (above)

• Avoid/Red = Final Score <=2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern 2, or two or more Red Criteria, or one or more Critical scores.

2 Because effective management is an essential component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommendation for any fishery scored as a Very High Concern for either factor under Management (Criterion 3). 8

Table of Contents

About Seafood Watch® ...... 2

Guiding Principles ...... 3

Introduction ...... 9

Assessment ...... 15 Criterion 1: Stock for which you want a recommendation ...... 15 Criterion 2: Impacts on Other Species ...... 23 Criterion 3: Management effectiveness ...... 42 Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem...... 56

Acknowledgements ...... 62

References ...... 63

Appendix A: Five year plan...... 68

Appendix B: Rationale for main species selection ...... 70

Appendix C: Review schedule ...... 71 9

Introduction Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommendation

This analysis and recommendation covers the New Zealand Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) fishery, taken by bottom trawl in the New Zealand exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southwestern Pacific.

Overview of the species and management bodies

Orange roughy is a slow-growing, long-lived species of fish that lives at depths of between 700 and 1500 m (and perhaps deeper). The New Zealand stocks have been estimated to mature at 23-31 years old and the fish can live to ages in excess of 120 years. Spawning takes place between June and August; fecundity is low. The orange roughy fishery in New Zealand is relatively new, having developed in the first instance on the Chatham Rise in 1979, before successive grounds were discovered over the subsequent fifteen years. There are now nine separate fisheries, with each managed as an independent stock with its own catch limits under the Quota Management System (MFish 2010).

The principal management body for the fishery is the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (formerly the Ministry of Fisheries), which collaborates with industry stakeholders via the Deepwater Group (DWG) under a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This co- management framework is responsible for the delivery of the National Deepwater Plan for orange roughy, which has the Fisheries Act 1996 and the Fisheries 2030 strategy as key guiding principles. Fisheries management and research is funded by a cost recovery scheme via levies on landings (MFish 2010).

Production Statistics

Figure 1: Global distribution of Orange Roughy (FAO 2013a).

Orange roughy has been fished commercially in New Zealand since 1979, with other major fisheries developing in Australia (1985) and in Namibia, the Faroe Islands and Chile in the 1990s (SPRFMO 2007), (Stevens 2003). There have also been fisheries in the southern Indian Ocean, off Madagascar (Stevens 2003), and some effort targeting the species in the northwest Atlantic by vessels from Russia, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Norway and France in the early 1990s (Foley et al. 2011), (Stevens 2003). The majority of global catches originate from the South Pacific region (SPRFMO 2007). 11

Figure 2: Global production trends for orange roughy, 1977 to 2011 (FAO 2013).

FAO data (FAO 2013) show a rise in global production of orange roughy capture fisheries from the initial landings in 1977 to a peak of over 90,000 tonnes in 1990. Since then, catches have fallen continually to current levels of below 10,000 tonnes.

New Zealand remains the largest global producer; Australia’s production is currently negligible, as the fishery is under management measures to recover the stock. The fish is not targeted, but there is a very small quota for orange roughy bycatch in some fisheries (AFMA 2012). Namibia is the second largest producer, although production levels are now substantially lower than that fishery’s peak of 18,000 ton in 1997 as the stock was quickly fished down and lower quotas have been introduced (Foley et al. 2011).

There are ten distinct stock management units in New Zealand's orange roughy fishery (though some are temporarily closed to fishing). The percent of recent landings from each management unit is given alongside their respective stock status (2013) below. 12

Figure 3: Stock status table for orange roughy (from 2013 QMS information (NZMPI 2013), modified to show percentage of total landings by area/stock to illustrate origin of landings from (NZMPI 2013a) with reference to stock status.

Importance to the US/North American Market

Figure 4: This chart shows the origin of orange roughy imports to the US market between 2003 and 2012. Countries contributing less than 1% of imports over the ten-year period are grouped as "other." The black trendline indicates change over time in the percentage of imports originating from New Zealand.

Imports of frozen orange roughy fillets have fallen over the last ten years, from just over 7,000 tonnes (metric) in 2003 to approximately 1,700 tonnes in 2012. While New Zealand has been the major source of orange roughy throughout that period, it has become increasingly dominant and, by last year, originated around 70% (by weight) of fish imported to the US (NOAA 2013).

The next largest source of imports of orange roughy is China, with approximately 30% of imports averaged over the ten year period. However, as demonstrated in Figure 2, China is not a key producer of orange roughy, and it is probable that a significant proportion of these imports are processed product originating in New Zealand; this is in keeping with FAO data (FAO 2013) that show New Zealand production levels as the dominant contributor of global orange roughy production. 14

Namibia, Australia, Chile and Thailand together account for around 10% of imports over the same ten year period, but their contributions have been declining (NOAA 2013).

Figure 5: Orange roughy US import figures (weight in kilos) by country of origin, 2003-2012. Key contributors (over 20%) highlighted in darker blue, countries originating more than 1% highlighted in lighter blue; all other countries (which comprise the "other" category in the chart above) in beige.

Common and market names

Common name: orange roughy. Acceptable market name: roughy, orange. Vernacular name: red roughy. (FDA 2012)

Primary product forms

Fillets — primarily frozen (Seafood Source 2013). 15

Assessment This section assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) relative to the Seafood Watch Criteria for Fisheries, available at http://www.seafoodwatch.org. Criterion 1: Stock for which you want a recommendation This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. The inherent vulnerability to fishing rating influences how abundance is scored, when abundance is unknown. The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 rating is determined as follows:

• Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern • Score >2.2 and <=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern • Score <=2.2=Red or High Concern

Rating is Critical if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical.

Criterion 1 Summary

ORANGE ROUGHY Region / Method Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury- 1.00:High 2.00:High 2.33:Moderate Red (2.159) Colville Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North 1.00:High 2.00:High 2.33:Moderate Red (2.159) Island Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A North - East 1.00:High 4.00:Low 2.33:Moderate Yellow (3.053) Cape Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A South, 1.00:High 2.00:High 3.67:Low Yellow (2.709) ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Concern Concern Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B East and 1.00:High 4.00:Low 3.67:Low Green (3.831) South Chatham Rise Southwest Concern Concern Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest 1.00:High 2.00:High 3.67:Low Yellow (2.709) Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Other 1.00:High 2.00:High 2.33:Moderate Red (2.159) 16

Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur 1.00:High 2.00:High 3.67:Low Yellow (2.709) Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger 1.00:High 2.00:High 5.00:Very Low Yellow (3.162) Plateau Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast 1.00:High 2.00:High 5.00:Very Low Yellow (3.162) South Island Southwest Pacific Concern Concern Trawl, Bottom

Reference points are defined by management (NZMPI 2013) as: Target reference point = B30%, which is a model-based estimate of BMSY. "Soft" limit = B20%. "Hard" limit = B10%.

Stocks below the soft limit are considered overfished, so this is taken as the limit reference point for the purposes of this analysis.

Recently, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and the Deepwater Group agreed on a new target range of between 30% and 40% B0 (Deepwater Group 2013). From a practical consideration, it is difficult to apply this in the context of an assessment, although in this case, it does not affect the scoring as none of the stocks are above the lower (B30%) end of this range.

Criterion 1 Assessment

ORANGE ROUGHY

Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

Scoring Guidelines

• Low—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 0-35, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it resilient to fishing, (e.g., early maturing) • Medium—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 36-55, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it neither particularly vulnerable nor resilient to fishing, (e.g., moderate age at sexual maturity (5-15 years), moderate maximum age (10-25 years), moderate maximum size, and middle of food chain). • High—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 56-100, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make is particularly vulnerable to fishing, (e.g., long-lived 17

(>25 years), late maturing (>15 years), low reproduction rate, large body size, and top- predator). Note: The FishBase vulnerability scores is an index of the inherent vulnerability of marine fishes to fishing based on life history parameters: maximum length, age at first maturity, longevity, growth rate, natural mortality rate, fecundity, spatial behaviors (e.g., schooling, aggregating for breeding, or consistently returning to the same sites for feeding or reproduction) and geographic range.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High

Orange roughy has high inherent vulnerability, with a FishBase score of 73 (Froese, R & D Pauly 2013). Orange roughy can live to be over 100 years old and may not reach maturity until 20-40 years of age. They also have low fecundity, slow growth and exceptionally low natural mortality (Branch 2001). Finally, they aggregate around seamount habitat, which increases their susceptibility to fishing.

Factor 1.2 - Stock Status

Scoring Guidelines

• 5 (Very Low Concern)—Strong evidence exists that the population is above target abundance level (e.g., biomass at maximum sustainable yield, BMSY) or near virgin biomass. • 4 (Low Concern)—Population may be below target abundance level, but it is considered not overfished 18

• 3 (Moderate Concern) —Abundance level is unknown and the species has a low or medium inherent vulnerability to fishing. • 2 (High Concern)—Population is overfished, depleted, or a species of concern, OR abundance is unknown and the species has a high inherent vulnerability to fishing. • 1 (Very High Concern)—Population is listed as threatened or endangered.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

Biomass of orange roughy from management area ORH1 Mercury-Colville is "likely" (>60% chance) below both the "soft limit" (B20%) and the "hard limit" (B10%, defined as the point of fisheries collapse); hence, it is depleted and scored as a "high concern" (NZMPI 2013).

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The orange roughy stock in management area ORH1 Northern North Island is unassessed. As the abundance relative to reference points is unknown, but the species is highly vulnerable to overfishing due to its life history traits, it is considered a "high concern."

New Zealand: ORH2A north - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Low Concern

According to the latest stock update, orange roughy in management area ORH2A north - East Cape is unlikely to be above target levels, but likely above the "soft limit". The "soft limit" (B20%) is the threshold beyond which the stock is considered to be depleted or overfished. As such, this stock is considered "not overfished" and a "low concern."

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The biomass of orange roughy in management areas ORH2A south, ORH2B, and ORH3A – Mid East Coast is assessed and the stock assessment states that it is considered to be "as likely as not" (defined as 40%– 60% chance) below the "soft limit" that corresponds to a limit reference point of B20%, (NZMPI 2013); therefore, it is considered unknown whether or not the stock is above the reference point. Because the species is highly vulnerable due to its life history, this results in a score of "high concern" for this 19

criterion.

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Low Concern

Abundance of the ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise population is unlikely to be above target levels, but also unlikely to be below the "soft" limit reference point (NZMPI 2013). The stock is considered "not overfished" and a "low concern."

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise stock is "very likely" to be below the "soft" limit, which serves as a limit reference point and threshold for an overfished stock, and "as a likely as not" below the "hard limit" considered to be the threshold of a collapsed stock (NZMPI 2013). This is considered a "high concern" according to Seafood Watch.

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The "ORH 3B Other" stock of orange roughy is unassessed. As the stock status is unknown, but the species is highly vulnerable to overfishing due to its life history traits, it is considered a "high concern."

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The ORH3B Puysegur stock is "likely" to be below both the "hard limit" and "soft limit" defined by the Harvest Strategy Standard for New Zealand Fisheries. Because the "soft limit" (B20%) is equivalent to 1/2 BMSY and is used as the overfished threshold, this stock is considered overfished, and is rated a “high concern” (NZMPI 2013).

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern 20

The biomass of orange roughy in management areas of the ORH7A Challenger Plateau is assessed and considered to be "as likely as not" below the "soft limit" (B20%) that corresponds to a limit reference point of approximately 50% of BMSY (NZMPI 2013); therefore, it is considered unknown whether or not the stock is above the reference point. Because the species is highly vulnerable due to its life history, this results in a score of "high concern" for this criterion.

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The ORH7B West Coast South Island stock is "likely" below the "soft limit" (set at B20% and used as the overfished threshold) (NZMPI 2013). This corresponds to a score of "high concern."

Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality

Scoring Guidelines

• 5 (Very Low Concern)—Highly likely that fishing mortality is below a sustainable level (e.g., below fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield, FMSY), OR fishery does not target species and its contribution to the mortality of species is negligible (≤ 5% of a sustainable level of fishing mortality). • 3.67 (Low Concern)—Probable (>50%) chance that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level, but some uncertainty exists, OR fishery does not target species and does not adversely affect species, but its contribution to mortality is not negligible, OR fishing mortality is unknown, but the population is healthy and the species has a low susceptibility to the fishery (low chance of being caught). • 2.33 (Moderate Concern)—Fishing mortality is fluctuating around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality is unknown and species has a moderate-high susceptibility to the fishery and, if species is depleted, reasonable management is in place. • 1 (High Concern)—Overfishing is occurring, but management is in place to curtail overfishing, OR fishing mortality is unknown, species is depleted, and no management is in place. • 0 (Critical)—Overfishing is known to be occurring and no reasonable management is in place to curtail overfishing.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderate Concern 21

Fishing mortality for orange roughy from management area ORH 1 Mercury-Colville is unknown. The population is depleted, but management actions have been taken to constrain fishing mortality for this stock. Catch was restricted to a bycatch limit of 30 t in 2001, although there were no reported landings from this stock in 2010-2012 (NZMPI 2013). This falls into the category "moderate concern" according to Seafood Watch.

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderate Concern

The ORH1 Northern North Island stock is unassessed, so fishing mortality is unknown, and it is also unknown whether the stock is depleted (NZMPI 2013). Therefore, fishing mortality is a "moderate concern."

New Zealand: ORH2A north - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderate Concern

Fishing mortality in management area ORH2A north–East Cape is unassessed and unknown (NZMPI 2013). The abundance of the stock, however, has been assessed. The stock is not depleted, so unknown fishing mortality results in a score of "moderate concern."

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Low Concern

It is "unlikely" (<40% chance) that overfishing is occurring on this stock according to the latest stock update, but it does not reach the threshold for a "very unlikely" (<10%) chance of overfishing, as defined by the Harvest Strategy Standard for New Zealand Fisheries (NZMPI 2013). According to Seafood Watch Criteria, because the probability that overfishing is occurring is less than 50%, but not necessarily less than 30%, the fishing mortality of this stock is a "low concern."

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderate Concern 22

Fishing mortality is a "moderate concern" as the stock is unassessed and therefore fishing mortality rates are unknown.

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Very Low Concern

According to the latest stock assessment it is "very unlikely" that overfishing is occurring (<10% chance), corresponding to a score of "very low concern" for fishing mortality (NZMPI 2013).

Criterion 2: Impacts on Other Species

All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated in the same way as the species under assessment were evaluated in Criterion 1. Seafood Watch® defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples include discards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing. To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is multiplied by the discard rate score (ranges from 0-1), which evaluates the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use relative to the retained catch. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows:

• Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern • Score >2.2 and <=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern • Score <=2.2=Red or High Concern Rating is Critical if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical.

Criterion 2 Summary

Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 section; a full list and assessment of the main species can be found in Appendix B.

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 2.00: High 2.33: 2.159 Concern Moderate Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange roughy: New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality 24

CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 2.00: High 2.33: 2.159 Concern Moderate Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH2A North-East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 4.00: Low 2.33: 3.053 Concern Moderate Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A— Mid-East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern 25

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore:: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Species Inherent Stock Status Fishing Subscore Vulnerability Mortality CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC High 2.00: High 1.00: High 1.414 HABITATS Concern Concern BLACK CARDINALFISH High 2.00: High 3.67: Low 2.709 Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

Orange Roughy: New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414

Concern Concern BLACK OREO DORY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern ORANGE ROUGHY High 2.00: High 5.00: Very 3.162 Concern Low Concern SMOOTH OREO DORY High 4.00: Low 3.67: Low 3.831 Concern Concern

The black cardinalfish is included, as it is considered a key bycatch species and is managed within the National Deepwater Plan for orange roughy (MFish 2010), although in practice, the two species are not targeted together and there is limited vertical overlap.

Smooth oreo and black oreo are both bycatch species in the orange roughy fisheries, and comprise 10% and 1.5% respectively of retained catches. Both species are also highly vulnerable to fishing pressure, although oreo catches (as a proportion of total oreo landings) in the orange roughy fishery are low.

Corals are part of the bycatch in orange roughy fisheries, comprising approximately 0.4% of the catch and occurring in 10% of observed trawls. They are included due to the vulnerability of coral species to benthic trawling, although due to a lack of detailed information at a species level they are assessed here under the Seafood Watch unknown bycatch matrix.

Corals and Biogenic Habitats score lowest in the assessment (1.414), due to their high vulnerability to bottom towed gear such as that used in the orange roughy fishery, and because of the lack of a management plan that might ensure that fishery impacts do not have population level effects.

Criterion 2 Assessment

BLACK CARDINALFISH

Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.1 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North – East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid-East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 28

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High

Black cardinalfish are highly vulnerable, with a FishBase vulnerability score of 70 (Froese, R & D Pauly 2013). They are very long-lived (up to 100 years), do not reach maturity until about 35 years old, and are slow-growing (Froese, R & D Pauly 2013).

Factor 2.2 - Stock Status

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.2 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North – East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid-East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

Stock status is listed as "virtually certain" to be below the target biomass, "likely" to be overfished and below the "soft limit" and "about as likely as not" (defined as a 40%–60% chance) below the "hard limit" 29

that signifies the stock is collapsed (NZMPI 2013). This status warrants a score of "high concern."

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.3 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid-East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Low Concern

The percentage of black cardinalfish as a proportion of the orange roughy catch is low— recent estimates suggest that less than 0.3% of catches in the orange roughy target fishery are cardinalfish (Anderson, O.F. 2011). However, there are no clear data available on the contribution of the orange roughy fishery to black cardinalfish total fishing mortality. The two fisheries overlap and the black cardinalfish is considered a key bycatch species and is managed within the National Deepwater Plan for orange roughy (MFish 2010); however, the two species are not targeted together. Management has identified the species as overfished and has sought to reduce fishing mortality, with the total allowable catch (TAC) being reduced in recent years. TAC for black cardinal fish includes and accounts for incidental bycatch within the orange roughy fishery. Although overfishing is likely occurring on this stock (NZMPI 2013), the orange roughy fishery's contribution to mortality of black cardinalfish is likely low and not believed to be adversely impacting the population, hence it is considered a "low concern."

Rationale

The black cardinalfish population is depleted according to the most recent assessment (NZMPI 2013), but management is in place. Susceptibility to the orange roughy fishery is low, as the two species have 30

different behaviors which affect how they are targeted (Dr. P Mace, pers. comm.). The main region with some interaction between both fisheries is the northeast of North Island, but although the two species co-occur they do not fully overlap as they favor different depth ranges; this allows fishermen to target relatively selectively (Dr. M. Clark, pers. comm.).

This suggests that the orange roughy fishery does not adversely affect the species, although it is unclear if the contribution is "negligible," which informs a scoring of "low concern.”

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North-East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid-East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

< 20%

The bycatch discard rate of the orange roughy fishery is very low; 94% of the greenweight catch is retained (MFish 2010).

BLACK OREO DORY

Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.1 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 31

New Zealand: ORH2A North-East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High

Black oreo dory are highly vulnerable, with a FishBase score of 69 (Paulin et al. 1989). They are very long-lived (100 years or more), do not reach maturity until over 20 years of age, and are slow- growing (Paulin et al. 1989).

Factor 2.2 - Stock Status

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.2 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North-East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A — Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern 32

According to the most recent stock status table (NZMPI 2013), the abundance of black oreo stocks relative to reference points is unknown. Based on the scoring criteria, the following statement is applicable: "There is no evidence to suggest that stock is either above or below reference points; unknown and stock inherent vulnerability is high” (as scored in Factor 1.1), which necessitates scoring as "high concern."

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.3 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North-East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A — Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Very Low Concern

Fishing mortality for black oreos, relative to reference points, is unknown (NZMPI 2013). However, fishing mortality of black oreos due to the orange roughy fishery (MFish 2010) is "negligible" (<5%), as a proportion of the total allowable commercial catch (TACC) (NZMPI 2012b). (The TACC is the proportion of the total allowable catch, or TAC, which is available to commercial fisheries.)

Black oreos comprise approximately 1.5% of catches in the orange roughy fishery. There are no data provided on the proportion of total oreo catches taken by the orange roughy fishery.

the target fishery for orange roughy for the years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 only (these were the only years where the corresponding data was available). For 2006/2007, 0.4% black oreo catches were taken as part of the orange roughy fishery. For 2007/2008 the figure is 2.0%.

Since catches are below 5% (as a proportion of the total catch of black oreos), the fishing mortality for black oreos within the orange roughy fishery is deemed to be "negligible," which predicates a scoring of “very low concern.”

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North – East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

< 20%

The bycatch discard rate of the orange roughy fishery is very low; 94% of the greenweight catch is retained (MFish 2010).

CORALS AND OTHER BIOGENIC HABITATS

Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.1 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 34

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North – East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High

The impact of bottom trawl fisheries on deepwater coral and sponge habitat is scored according to the Seafood Watch “unknown bycatch” matrix, based on a synthesis of peer-reviewed literature and expert opinion on the bycatch impacts of each gear type. More information on the Seafood Watch Criteria is available in Appendix 3.

Deepwater biogenic habitats are considered to be of high inherent vulnerability according to the Seafood Watch Criteria.

Factor 2.2 - Stock Status

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.2 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North – East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 35

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The impact of bottom trawl fisheries on deepwater coral and sponge habitat is scored according to the Seafood Watch “unknown bycatch” matrix, which is based on a synthesis of peer-reviewed literature and expert opinion on the bycatch impacts of each gear type. More information is available in Appendix 3 of the Seafood Watch Criteria.

There are a variety of coral species that may be impacted by the fishery. According to data from both research trawls and observer data from commercial trawls, corals that may be impacted are composed of stony corals (56 genera from 15 families in the Order Scleractinia), gorgonians (57 genera from 8 families in Order Alcyonacea), hydrocorals (16 genera from one family in Order Anthoathecata), and black corals (26 families from 7 genera in Order Antipatharia) (Baird et al. 2012). Species level data are not generally recorded and the status of these corals are unknown, though all corals are protected in New Zealand.

"Unknown species" with high vulnerability, such as deepwater coral and sponges, are deemed a "high concern" according to Seafood Watch.

Rationale The scoring in this case has been led by the framework guidance; however, in support of the outcome, it is appropriate to provide relevant information on the ability of corals to recover from fishing. A study (Williams et al. 2010) looking at seamounts pre- and post-closure to trawling showed that there was not any discernable change (recovery) detected over the 5–10 year timeframe, with corals and biogenic benthic fauna not recolonizing. This indicates the vulnerability of these species to the activity.

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.3 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North – East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A – Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 36

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High Concern

The impact of bottom trawl fisheries on deepwater coral and sponge habitat is scored according to the Seafood Watch “unknown bycatch” matrix, and based on a synthesis of peer-reviewed literature and expert opinion on the bycatch impacts of each gear type. More information is available in Appendix 3 of the Seafood Watch Criteria. According to the criteria, the impact of bottom trawls on deepwater corals and sponges is considered a "high concern" when the population level impacts on the corals are unknown if there is management in place (otherwise a "critical concern"). While Seafood Watch Criteria 4 considers the indirect effects of habitat damage on the fish communities and ecosystems that depend on seamount and coral habitat, Criteria 2 is focused on the direct population level impacts on corals caught as bycatch. These impacts are not fully known because there is usually little to no information on which species are caught, their abundance, catch rates, and the population impact of the catch. However, data demonstrate that coral bycatch regularly occurs in the fishery, as one of the most common types of invertebrate bycatch (second only to squid), making up about 0.4% of the catch and occurring in about 10% of total observed tows (with a much higher proportion of tows in northern waters including coral bycatch) (NZMPI 2013a). Given the high vulnerability of species that may be caught and the lack of assessment or a management plan to ensure these impacts do not have population level effects, this is considered a “high concern.” This fishery is scored as "high" rather than "critical" as there are some efforts to manage the impacts by spatial management and area closures.

Rationale

The scoring depends in part on whether there are "some" efforts in place to reduce impacts of the fishery on corals and biogenic benthic species that are "believed to be effective." The main management measure in place is an avoidance of fishing pressure on corals through spatial management through benthic protection areas. These close a range of benthic habitats to bottom trawling, including seamounts and other underwater topological features with which corals and other biogenic habitats are associated. Although the closures are effective, at least to a degree, it should be acknowledged that they do not specifically target areas of coral coverage, nor do they specifically coincide with orange roughy fishery areas.

The coincidence of the fishery's footprint with the distribution of coral sample distributions was 37

analyzed, and the fishery footprint continues to overlap with known coral distribution to some extent (Baird, S. and Clark, M. 2013). Even a few trawl passes per year over coral habitat can cause significant damage. Although the fishery operates across a number of deepwater habitats, some of which are less vulnerable, it is strongly associated with seamounts, which have previously been assessed to originate about 60% of orange roughy and oreo catches (Clark & O Driscoll 2003). There is evidence of sensitive habitats including deep-sea corals associated with seamounts in the area, with a decline in abundance of such habitats observed in comparisons of fished versus unfished seamounts (Clark and Rowden 2009). The orange roughy fishery was found to be one of the fisheries posing the greatest risk to coral habitats in New Zealand (Baird 2012). Campbell and Gallagher 2007 (Campbell and Gallagher 2007) found the risk ranking of this fishery to be "extreme" due to the combination of the likelihood of impacting protected corals and the significance of that impact.

While there is evidence that suggests the current footprint of the orange roughy fishery does not overlap to a high degree with recorded coral distribution (Baird, S. and Clark, M. 2013), and no new, additional impact is likely in already fished areas, the orange roughy fishery still has some overlap with these habitats, which poses the risk of impacting biogenic habitat. Even with a low amount of effort directed at new coral and seamount habitats each year, the effect may be very significant. Clark et al. (Clark et al. 2010) found that coral cover was 90% lower on trawled seamounts compared to similar untrawled seamounts, and further found that impacts of this magnitude resulted after as few as tens of trawl passes. Corals are very long-lived and slow-growing, and there is evidence that corals do not begin to recover from these impacts, at least on the scale of 5-10 years (Williams et al. 2010). Given that the impacts on coral populations are not reversible on a timescale of years to decades, while the orange roughy fishery continues to target areas with live coral, the cumulative impact on the population is growing. The full extent of this impact is unknown, but using a risk-based approach, the risk to protected corals posed by this fishery was considered to be "extreme" in a recent analysis (Campbell and Gallagher 2007). Based on accumulated scientific information from fisheries around the world showing that trawl fishing can have a serious detrimental impact to deepwater coral and sponge species, this impact is considered to be a “high concern,” according to the Seafood Watch Criteria,

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 38

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

< 20%

The bycatch discard rate of the orange roughy fishery is very low; 94% of the greenweight catch is retained (MFish 2010).

SMOOTH OREO DORY

Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.1 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

High

Smooth oreo dory are highly vulnerable, with a FishBase score of 72. They reach a maximum length of about 68 cm, grow slowly, reach maturity at about 10 years of age and reach a maximum age of about 40 years (Heemstra 1990).

Factor 2.2 - Stock Status

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.2 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Low Concern

"Biomass is above the limit reference point, but may be below a target reference point."

Based on the most recent stock status (NZMPI 2013), smooth oreo stocks are unlikely or very unlikely to be below soft and hard limit reference points, but may not be at target levels (based on probabilities of 40%–60% for 2/4 plenary stocks, and <40% for 1/4). One of the four plenary stocks had unknown status.

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.3 above)

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 40

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Low Concern

Overall fishing mortality rates for smooth oreos varies depending on the stock. The OEO 3A Smooth stock is "unlikely" experiencing overfishing, while the OEO 1/OEO 3A Southland Smooth Oreo stock is "likely" experiencing overfishing (NZMPI 2013). However, fishing mortality for smooth oreos in the orange roughy fishery (MFish 2010) is not quite "negligible" (<5%) as a proportion of the overall TAC for smooth oreos (NZMPI 2012b), but it is low. See detailed rationale for supporting information.

Rationale Smooth oreos comprise approximately 10% of catches in the orange roughy fishery. There are no data provided on the proportion of total oreo catches taken by the orange roughy fishery.

However, by combining the figures given in the Orange Roughy National Deepwater Plan (MFish 2010) and the section of the May 2012 Plenary Report (NZMPI 2012b) concerning oreos, it has been possible to calculate the percentage of the “estimated total catches” for smooth and black oreos taken as part of the target fishery for orange roughy for the years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 (these were the only years where the corresponding data were available). For 2006/2007, 2.4% smooth oreo catches were taken as part of the orange roughy fishery. For 2007/2008 the figures is 9.0%.

Since catches have exceeded 5%, the fishing mortality for smooth oreos within the orange roughy fishery is greater than "negligible," but is low enough that it is not believed to be adversely impacting the species. This merits a scoring of “low concern.”

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 41

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

< 20%

The bycatch discard rate of the orange roughy fishery is very low; 94% of the greenweight catch is retained (MFish 2010).

Criterion 3: Management effectiveness Management is separated into management of retained species (harvest strategy) and management of non-retained species (bycatch strategy).

The final score for this criterion is the geometric mean of the two scores. The Criterion 3 rating is determined as follows:

• Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern • Score >2.2 and <=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern • Score <=2.2 or either the Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern = Red or High Concern Rating is Critical if either or both of Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) and Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) ratings are Critical.

Criterion 3 Summary

Region / Method Management Management Overall of of Recommendation Retained Non-Retained Species Species New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury- 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) Colville Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) Island Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A North - East 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) Cape Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A South, 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B East and 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Other 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) Southwest Pacific 43

Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) Plateau Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast 3.000 3.000 Yellow(3.000) South Island Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom

Factor 3.1: Harvest Strategy

Scoring Guidelines

Seven subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy, Recovery of Species of Concern, Scientific Research/Monitoring, Following of Scientific Advice, Enforcement of Regulations, Management Track Record, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is rated as ‘ineffective,’ ‘moderately effective,’ or ‘highly effective.’

• 5 (Very Low Concern)—Rated as ‘highly effective’ for all seven subfactors considered. • 4 (Low Concern)—Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of Concern rated ‘highly effective’ and all other subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effective.’ • 3 (Moderate Concern)—All subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effective.’ • 2 (High Concern)—At minimum, meets standards for ‘moderately effective’ for Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of Concern, but at least one other subfactor rated ‘ineffective.’ • 1 (Very High Concern)—Management exists, but Management Strategy and/or Recovery of Species of Concern rated ‘ineffective.’ • 0 (Critical)—No management exists when there is a clear need for management (i.e., fishery catches threatened, endangered, or high concern species), OR there is a high level of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occurring.

Factor 3.1 Summary

Factor 3.1: Management of fishing impacts on retained species Region / Method Strategy Recovery Research Advice Enforce Track Inclusion New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury- Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly Colville Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH1 Northern Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly North Island Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A North - Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly East Cape Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective 44

Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A South, Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Coast Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B East and Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly South Chatham Rise Southwest Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly Northwest Chatham Rise Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Other Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7A Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly Challenger Plateau Southwest Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7B West Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly Coast South Island Southwest Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Pacific Trawl, Bottom

Subfactor 3.1.1 – Management Strategy and Implementation

Considerations: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence that management goals are being met? To achieve a “highly effective” rating, there must be appropriate management goals, and evidence that the measures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 45

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderately Effective

The fishery employs some effective strategies. For example, target fishing mortality decreases with biomass below the target reference range (between B30%, equivalent to BMSY, and B40% (Deepwater Group 2013)), with no fishing allowed if the biomass reaches a "hard" limit of B10% (NZMPI 2012). It is not clear if there are sufficient buffers in the TAC to account for uncertainty, although there is mention of an "assessment of risk" by the Minister in setting TAC levels (NZMPI 2007). The approach to setting TAC for each stock has recently been developed within a "Harvest Strategy Standard," with total allowable commercial catch (TACC) limits set either at a FMSY proxy (if the stock is within the target range, or >=B30%) or below FMSY if below the target reference range (Deepwater Group 2013).

Orange roughy are highly vulnerable to overfishing and the sustainability of the harvest strategy depends on accurate stock assessments that appropriately account for the species' life history. Early stock assessments severely underestimated the vulnerability of the species, allowing overfishing to occur and most stocks were severely depleted as a result. There are still many uncertainties in the stock assessments, and it remains to be seen whether the current harvest strategy is precautionary enough to allow it to recover, given the vulnerability of the species (Clark 2001)(Francis & Clark 2005). Some stocks or sub-stocks previously closed have recently been re-opened to fishing (MFish 2010), indicating a presumed level of success at rebuilding, but there is no clear quantitative information currently available to demonstrate the extent to which this is the case.

Subfactor 3.1.2 – Recovery of Species of Concern

Considerations: When needed, are recovery strategies/management measures in place to rebuild overfished/threatened/ endangered species or to limit fishery’s impact on these species and what is their likelihood of success? To achieve a rating of Highly Effective, rebuilding strategies that have a high likelihood of success in an appropriate timeframe must be in place when needed, as well as measures to minimize mortality for any overfished/threatened/endangered species.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 46

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A north - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderately Effective

Management is set up to react to depleted stocks so that fishing ceases once stocks fall below limit reference points, and reduces once below target reference points (NZMPI 2012b). However, the success of these measures in rebuilding stocks is "probable" rather than “likely” or “high likely”; the mechanics of the orange roughy stock (in terms of its reaction to changes in fishing pressure) are not fully known, and different measures of abundance (using CPUE and survey data) are not in full agreement (NZMPI 2012b).

Subfactor 3.1.3 – Scientific Research and Monitoring

Considerations: How much and what types of data are collected to evaluate the health of the population and the fishery’s impact on the species? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, population assessments must be conducted regularly and they must be robust enough to reliably determine the population status.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 47

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Highly Effective

Stock assessments of both fishery dependent, (commercial catch per unit effort (CPUE)) and independent (research survey) data and abundance indices are contracted out by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (New Zealand government) to government-owned research institute NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research). Other survey work is contracted out to NIWA and other qualified providers. All work is overseen by MPI scientists, who provide technical guidance and peer review through MPI technical working groups.

Research and assessments are updated regularly to feed into TACC management (NZMPI 2012b). The research and monitoring program is modern, its contribution to management processes transparent, and public reports on stock status are published regularly (NZMPI 2012).

Rationale Research and stock assessment approaches have been adaptive. As previous approaches to stock assessment using stochastic and deterministic modelling approaches were deemed inadequate, a new, modified age-structure approach has recently been adopted. Not all nine stocks are monitored with equal frequency—those stocks which are most heavily targeted by fisheries, or those which are depleted, are most regularly assessed—but new assessments are rolling out this modified approach. Data used include age and maturity data (from trawl surveys), age frequencies (from spawning fishery surveys), fisheries data from commercial catches and observer records, and biomass data from research surveys. These data are used to model the stock and estimate stock status against reference points.

Depending on the stock's status, TACC is set at or below FMSY (which, for orange roughy, is 4.5% of the current stock size) (Deepwater Group 2013).

Subfactor 3.1.4 – Management Record of Following Scientific Advice

Considerations: How often (always, sometimes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scientific recommendations/advice (e.g., do they set catch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly Effective rating is given if managers nearly always follow scientific advice.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 48

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Highly Effective

Management is directly informed by scientific advice in setting TACs. This adherence to limits based around maintaining stocks at BMSY is a requirement under national legislation (the 1996 and amended 1983 Fisheries Acts) (NZMPI 2007).

Subfactor 3.1.5 – Enforcement of Management Regulations

Considerations: Do fishermen comply with regulations, and how is this monitored? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, there must be regular enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A north - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A south, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 49

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Highly Effective

Catch returns and logbooks are completed; catch and effort returns are submitted for target and non- fishery/protected species bycatch. Enforcement and monitoring measures include vessel monitoring systems (VMS), aerial patrols and patrol boats (Ministry of Fisheries 2009), (Ministry of Fisheries 2011). The fishery is generally at or below TAC, where quota overruns occur at sea (due to burst nets, for example). This is factored with a precautionary allowance in future TACs (NZMPI 2012b). Landing of quota overruns is discouraged through financial penalties.

Subfactor 3.1.6 – Management Track Record

Considerations: Does management have a history of successfully maintaining populations at sustainable levels or a history of failing to maintain populations at sustainable levels? A Highly Effective rating is given if measures enacted by management have been shown to result in the long-term maintenance of species overtime.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderately Effective

There is a robust management system in place, however given the life history of the target species and the transition from a "fishing down" phase into implementing a MSY-based management of quota, the long-term success of the measures in place is uncertain.

Subfactor 3.1.7 – Stakeholder Inclusion

Considerations: Are stakeholders involved/included in the decision-making process? Stakeholders are individuals/groups/organizations that have an interest in the fishery or that may be affected by the management of the fishery (e.g., fishermen, conservation groups, etc.). A Highly Effective rating is given if the management process is transparent and includes stakeholder input.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Highly Effective

There is strong ethos of stakeholder engagement in fisheries management in New Zealand, with involvement in decision-making and the setting of management measures (OECD 2005), as well as in technical working groups. The fishing industry is a proactive partner (via the Deepwater Group) in the management of the orange roughy fishery and there is a specific provision to further increase stakeholder involvement through the species plan (MFish 2010).

Bycatch Strategy

Factor 3.2: Management of fishing impacts on bycatch species Region / Method All Kept Critical Strategy Research Advice Enforce New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury- No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly Colville Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH1 Northern No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly North Island Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A North - East No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly Cape Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A South, No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Effective Effective Effective Effective Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B East and No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly South Chatham Rise Southwest Effective Effective Effective Effective Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Other No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly Plateau Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast No No Moderately Highly Highly Highly South Island Southwest Pacific Effective Effective Effective Effective Trawl, Bottom

Subfactor 3.2.1 – Management Strategy and Implementation

Considerations: What type of management strategy/measures are in place to reduce the impacts of the fishery on bycatch species and how successful are these management measures? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, the primary bycatch species must be known and there must be clear goals and measures in place to minimize the impacts on bycatch species (e.g., catch limits, use of proven mitigation measures, etc.). 52

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Moderately Effective

The bycatch of non-target species in the orange roughy fishery is low (approximately 6%). Incidental bycatch (including seabirds and shark species) is monitored through the fishery's plan and via observer reporting, and there is effort dedicated to further bycatch reduction. Vulnerable species including fur seals, sea lions and seabirds are occasionally caught, but there is clear mitigation and reduction measures in place via Marine Mammal Operating Procedure and (for seabirds) vessel management plans (VMP) individually tailored for each vessel (covering offal management, tori lines and other measures), with observer coverage to monitor bycatch (average 27% of observer coverage 2002/03 and 2011/12, (NZMPI 2013a)) (MFish 2010). There is some benthic bycatch of coral species (both protected and non- protected), echinoderms and sponges. Management measures to reduce impacts on benthic organisms have focused on seamount closures and spatial management through benthic protection areas (BPAs), although this is not a fishery-specific strategy. However, monitoring of the swept area or footprint of orange roughy fisheries has taken place since 1989/90 (Black et al. 2013); analysis of recent tracks has shown some overlap with reef building coral species in the areas studied (Baird, S. and Clark, M. 2013). While the BPAs are generally cited as evidence of strong mitigation of bycatch impacts on corals, the effectiveness of these closed areas for coral protection from the orange roughy fishery is questioned. For example, Rieser (Rieser et al. 2013) found that 82% of the protected areas were in waters too deep to fish, while only 3%–15% of marine habitats less than 1500 m deep were protected. Overall given the high level of concern associated with coral bycatch, this strategy is considered moderately effective.

Subfactor 3.2.2 – Scientific Research and Monitoring

Considerations: Is bycatch in the fishery recorded/documented and is there adequate monitoring of bycatch to measure fishery’s impact on bycatch species? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, assessments must be conducted to determine the impact of the fishery on species of concern, and an adequate bycatch data collection program must be in place to ensure bycatch management goals are being met.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Highly Effective

Observer coverage to monitor bycatch (in particular seabirds) averaged 27% from 2002/03 to 2011/12; benthic protection areas are monitored via VMS (MFish 2010), which ensures that vessels do not fish in closed areas. There is ongoing research into mitigation of bycatch built into the fishery plan (MFish 2010), and driven by the Fisheries 2030 strategy (NZMPI 2011).

Subfactor 3.2.3 – Management Record of Following Scientific Advice

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 54

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Highly Effective

See 3.1.4

Subfactor 3.2.4 – Enforcement of Management Regulations

Considerations: Is there a monitoring/enforcement system in place to ensure fishermen follow management regulations and what is the level of fishermen’s compliance with regulations? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, there must be consistent enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 55

Highly Effective

See 3.1.5

Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem This criterion assesses the impact of the fishery on seafloor habitats, and increases that base score if there are measures in place to mitigate any impacts. The fishery’s overall impact on the ecosystem and food web and the use of ecosystem based fisheries management (EBFM) principles is also evaluated. EBFM aims to consider the interconnections among species and all natural and human stressors on the environment.

The final score is the geometric mean of the impact of fishing gear on habitat score (plus the mitigation of gear impacts score) and the EBFM score. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows:

• Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern • Score >2.2 and <=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern • Score <=2.2=Red or High Concern Rating cannot be Critical for Criterion 4.

Criterion 4 Summary

Region / Method Gear Type Mitigation of EBFM Overall Recomm. and Gear Impacts Substrate New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury- 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) Colville Southwest Pacific High Concern Mitigation Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH1 Northern 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) North Island Southwest Pacific High Concern Mitigation Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A North - 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) East Cape Southwest Pacific High Concern Mitigation Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH2A South, 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast High Concern Mitigation Concern Southwest Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B East and 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) South Chatham Rise Southwest High Concern Mitigation Concern Pacific Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific High Concern Mitigation Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Other 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) 57

Southwest Pacific High Concern Mitigation Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) Southwest Pacific High Concern Mitigation Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) Plateau Southwest Pacific High Concern Mitigation Concern Trawl, Bottom New Zealand: ORH7B West 0.00:Very 0.25:Minimal 4.00:Low Red (1.000) Coast South Island Southwest High Concern Mitigation Concern Pacific Trawl, Bottom

Justification of Ranking

Factor 4.1 – Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate

Scoring Guidelines

• 5 (None)—Fishing gear does not contact the bottom • 4 (Very Low)—Vertical line gear • 3 (Low)—Gears that contacts the bottom, but is not dragged along the bottom (e.g. gillnet, bottom longline, trap) and is not fished on sensitive habitats. Bottom seine on resilient mud/sand habitats. Midwater trawl that is known to contact bottom occasionally • 2 (Moderate)—Bottom dragging gears (dredge, trawl) fished on resilient mud/sand habitats. Gillnet, trap, or bottom longline fished on sensitive boulder or coral reef habitat. Bottom seine except on mud/sand • 1 (High)—Hydraulic clam dredge. Dredge or trawl gear fished on moderately sensitive habitats (e.g., cobble or boulder) • 0 (Very High)—Dredge or trawl fished on biogenic habitat, (e.g., deep-sea corals, eelgrass and maerl) Note: When multiple habitat types are commonly encountered, and/or the habitat classification is uncertain, the score will be based on the most sensitive, plausible habitat type.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom 58

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Very High Concern

Although the fishery operates across a number of deepwater habitats, some of which are less vulnerable, it is strongly associated with seamounts, which have previously been assessed to originate about 60% of orange roughy and oreo catches (Clark & O Driscoll 2003). There is evidence of sensitive habitats including deep-sea corals associated with seamounts in the area, with a decline in abundance of such habitats observed in comparisons of fished versus unfished seamounts (Clark and Rowden 2009). The orange roughy fishery was found to be one of the fisheries posing the greatest risk to coral habitats in New Zealand (Baird 2012). Campbell and Gallagher 2007 (Campbell and Gallagher 2007) found the risk ranking of this fishery to be "extreme" due to the combination of the likelihood of impacting protected corals and the significance of that impact.

While the population level impacts on coral species caught as bycatch are considered under Criteria 2, corals are also important structure-forming organisms that form one of the most important habitats in ocean environments. Like any other structural habitat (e.g., rocky reefs), damaging these structures has significant, cascading effects on fish communities and the ecosystem as a whole. It is this indirect, community-wide impact that is considered under Criterion 4, as this impact is distinct from the direct population impact on coral the organism. 59

Factor 4.2 – Mitigation of Gear Impacts

Scoring Guidelines

• +1 (Strong Mitigation)—Examples include large proportion of habitat protected from fishing (>50%) with gear, fishing intensity low/limited, gear specifically modified to reduce damage to seafloor and modifications shown to be effective at reducing damage, or an effective combination of ‘moderate’ mitigation measures. • +0.5 (Moderate Mitigation)—20% of habitat protected from fishing with gear or other measures in place to limit fishing effort, fishing intensity, and spatial footprint of damage caused from fishing. • +0.25 (Low Mitigation)—A few measures are in place (e.g., vulnerable habitats protected but other habitats not protected); there are some limits on fishing effort/intensity, but not actively being reduced. • 0 (No Mitigation)—No effective measures are in place to limit gear impacts on habitats. • New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Minimal Mitigation

A substantial proportion (32%) of the EEZ (MFish 2010a), covering a range of representative habitats is closed to bottom trawling within benthic protection areas, originally proposed by the fishing industry and legally implemented in 2007. Additionally, the Seamount Management Strategy, actioned in 2001, has closed 17 seamounts to bottom trawling (Clark & O Driscoll 2003), (NZMPI 2012a). Between the two regimes, 52% of seamounts above 1000 m in height (and 28% of all underwater topographic features, including smaller seamounts, pinnacles etc.) are closed to trawling (Ministry of Fisheries 2010). There is good compliance monitoring (VMS) of spatial closures (Ministry of Fisheries 2010). 60

With respect to the orange roughy species range, 16% of habitat has been estimated to fall under the protection of BPAs (MFish 2010), which is not a "substantial proportion" as defined within the assessment criteria. As part of the agreement under which BPAs were established, no further spatial protection will be added in the EEZ (between 12 nm and 200 nm limits) until after 2013 (MFish 2010a), although monitoring of the trawl footprint of the fishery is ongoing.

There is work underway and ongoing development of a marine protected area network through MPA Policy, which was scheduled to be implemented after 2013 outside the territorial (0-12 nm) seas (MPI 2013). At this point, the government is set to review the classification and level of protection in deepwater areas (MFish 2010a). However, this does not constitute an ongoing reduction of fishing effort, intensity or spatial footprint and the implementation of any measures resulting from the review would "likely extend beyond the initial five year period" (ending 2015/16) of the current plan (MFish 2010a) (i.e., there are no immediate or active measures or a means to bring any in, if needed.)

As such, the mitigation does not qualify under the assessment framework as Moderate and has therefore been scored as "minimal."

Factor 4.3 – Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

Scoring Guidelines

• 5 (Very Low Concern)—Substantial efforts have been made to protect species’ ecological roles and ensure fishing practices do not have negative ecological effects (e.g., large proportion of fishery area is protected with marine reserves, and abundance is maintained at sufficient levels to provide food to predators). • 4 (Low Concern)—Studies are underway to assess the ecological role of species and measures are in place to protect the ecological role of any species that plays an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem. Measures are in place to minimize potentially negative ecological effect if hatchery supplementation or fish aggregating devices (FADs) are used. • 3 (Moderate Concern)—Fishery does not catch species that play an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem, or if it does, studies are underway to determine how to protect the ecological role of these species, OR negative ecological effects from hatchery supplementation or FADs are possible and management is not place to mitigate these impacts. • 2 (High Concern)—Fishery catches species that play an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem and no efforts are being made to incorporate their ecological role into management. 61

• 1 (Very High Concern)—Use of hatchery supplementation or fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the fishery is having serious negative ecological or genetic consequences, OR fishery has resulted in trophic cascades or other detrimental impacts to the food web.

New Zealand: ORH1 Mercury-Colville Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH1 Northern North Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A North - East Cape Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH2A South, ORH2B, ORH3A - Mid East Coast Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B East and South Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Northwest Chatham Rise Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Other Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH3B Puysegur Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7A Challenger Plateau Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

New Zealand: ORH7B West Coast South Island Southwest Pacific, Trawl, Bottom

Low Concern

There is scientific research underway into deepwater benthic environments and fisheries interactions, in addition to wider biodiversity research and an incorporation of the ecosystem-based approach within management of fisheries and the environment. (NZMPI 2012a). This is guided at a policy level by the Fisheries 2030 strategy (NZMPI 2011). However, at this stage there is not a depth of understanding of ecosystem effects or of the role of this fishery to allow specific management measures (NZMPI 2012b), so it does not warrant a score of "very low"; likewise, it is not apparent that the species is of "exceptional importance" to the ecosystem, so it has been judged not to warrant the higher "moderate" score, and thus receives a score of “low concern.”

A recent report for the Deepwater Group and the Ministry of Primary Industries (Boyd, R. O. 2013) discusses the ecological effects of four orange roughy fisheries, as assessed by an expert panel. This report has the objective to inform appropriate management so that, in the future, specific management measures might be put in place. 62

Acknowledgements Scientific review does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch® program, or its seafood recommendations, on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch® is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report.

Seafood Watch® would like to thank Katrina Subedar of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand and four anonymous reviewers for graciously reviewing this report for scientific accuracy. 63

References AFMA (2012) Research expedition shows orange roughy bouncing back. Internet article, with information on current orange roughy management. Australian Fisheries Management Authority, 2012. Available online at: http://www.afma.gov.au/2012/08/research-expedition- shows-orange-roughy-bouncing-back/ Accessed May 2013.

Anderson, O.F. (2011) Fish and invertebrate bycatch and discards in orange roughy and oreo fisheries from 1990-91 until 2008-09. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 67.

Baird, S.J., Tracey, D., Mormede, S., Clark, M (2012) The distribution of protected corals in New Zealand waters. Report prepared for DOC by NIWA, New Zealand.

Baird, S., Clark, M. (2013) Additional notes on Coral distribution and orange roughy fisheries. Presentation. NIWA.

Black, J., Wood, R., Berhelsen, T., Tilney, R. (2013) Monitoring New Zealand's trawl footprint for deepwater fisheries: 1989-90 to 2009-10. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 110. Report for Ministry of Primary Industries.

Boyd, R.O. (2013) Assessment of ecological effects of four New Zealand orange roughy fisheries. Report for Deepwater Group Limited, Wellington (Unpublished report held by Deepwater Group Limited, Nelson) 39p.

Branch, T.A. (2001) A review of orange rough Hoplostethus atlanticus fisheries, estimation methods, biology and stock structure. South African Journal of Marine Science. 23 (1), pp 181- 203.

Campbell, M.L., Gallagher, C. (2007) Assessing the relative effects of fishing on the New Zealand marine environment through risk analysis - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64, pp 256-270.

Clark, M.R., Bowden, D.A., Baird, S.J., Steward, R. (2010) Effects of fishing on the benthic biodiversity of seamounts of the "Graveyard" complex, northern Chatham Rise. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 46. ISSN 1176-9440. 41pp.

Clark, M. (2001) Are deepwater fisheries sustainable? The example of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) in New Zealand. Fisheries Research 51 (2-3), pp123-135.

Clark, M. and O Driscoll, R. (2003) Deepwater fisheries and aspects of their impact on seamount habitat in New Zealand. Journal of Northwestern Atlantic Fisheries Science. Vol 31: pp441-458 Accessed April 2013. 64

Clark, M.R. and Rowden, A.A. (2009) Effect of deepwater trawling on the macro-invertebrate assemblages of seamounts on the Chatham Rise, New Zealand. Deep Sea Research Part 1: Oceanographic Research papers; 56 (9): 1540-54

Clement, I.T., Garguilo, S., Irving, A. Tilney, R. (2013) New Zealand Deepwater Fisheries Management Practices: Orange Roughy (Deepwater Group Ltd Publication Series 2013/03, dated November 2013). Wellington, New Zealand: Deepwater Group Ltd.

FAO (2013) Species Fact Sheet - Hoplostethus atlanticus. (Includes data portal which is the source of global production data for this report.) Available online at: http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2249/en Accessed: May 2013.

FAO (2013a) Species Distribution Map - Orange roughy. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Created via online application and available to view at: http://www.fao.org/figis/geoserver/factsheets/species.html?species=ORY-mextent=- 90.611027,-94.727015,194.154598,98.63236zoom=0prj=4326 Accessed: 5th May 2013.

Foley, N., Rensburg, T., Armstrong, C. (2011) The rise and fall of the Irish orange roughy fishery: An economic analysis. Marine Policy 35:6, 756-763. Available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X11000042 Working version accessed at: http://vmserver14.nuigalway.ie/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10379/1445/paper_0156.pdf?sequen ce=1 April 2013.

Frances, C.R.I.C., Clark, M.R. (2005) Sustainability Issues for Orange Roughy Fisheries. Bulletin of Marine Science 76 (2), pp 337-352.

Maul, G.E., 1986. Hoplostethus atlanticus (FishBase.org). Trachichthyidae. p. 749-752. In P.J.P.

Heemstra, P.C. (1990) Oreosomatidae. p. 226-228. In O. Gon and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Fishes of the Southern Ocean. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown, South Africa. Cited in: Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2011.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org - Pseudocyttus maculatus - smooth oreo dory. Available at: http://fishbase.org/summary/Pseudocyttus-maculatus.html Accessed: April 2013.

Ministry of Fisheries (2011) New Zealand's Sustainable Fisheries (factsheet). Available online at: http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/FDA16ECD-CF21-40DB-9748- F2942C0EFEF2/0/General2011v3.pdf Accessed: April 2013.

Ministry of Fisheries (2010) Compliance Information Sheet - Benthic protection areas and seamount closures http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/06F3676E-BD74-4137-AE7E- 57A0BDDCE819/0/Complianceinfosheet07.pdf. Accessed online April 2013. 65

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (as MFish) (2010) National Deepwater Plan - orange roughy. Ministry of Fisheries, Wellington, New Zealand. Available online at: http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/9A1D6630-3B77-4739-82AB- DABCDE6FBE84/0/NFP_Deepwater_and_Middledepth_Fisheries_Part_1B_ORANGEROUGHY.pd f Accessed: April 2013.

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (as MFish) (2010) National Fisheries Plan for Deepwater and Middle-depth Fisheries. Ministry of Fisheries, Wellington, New Zealand. Available online at: http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/4BF8C905-0893-4CF5-94E7- F20751729F70/0/NFP_Deepwate_and_Middledepth_Fisheries_Part1A.pdf

Ministry of Fisheries (2009) Compliance information sheet: Compliance benchmarking for New Zealand Fisheries. Ministry of Fisheries, Wellington, New Zealand. Available online at: http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/8650E562-D1D6-46D6-B955- 99EA20921CB0/0/Complianceinfosheet02.pdf Accessed: April 2013.

MPA Questions and Answers. New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries. Available online at: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en- nz/Environmental/Seabed+Protection+and+Research/MPA/QandA.htm Accessed: September 2013. See "What is the management plan for deepwater areas?"

Ministry for Primary Industries (2013) Report from the Fisheries Assessment Plenary, May 2013: stock assessments and yield estimates (part 2). Compiled by Ministry for Primary Industries Fisheries Science Group, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand. 474p. Accessed: May 2014.

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. 2013. Stock status for Quota Management System species (last updated October 2013).

Ministry for Primary Industries (2012) Stock status - sustainability. A summary of the QMS, target and reference levels. Ministry for Primary Industries, 2012. Available online at: http://fs.fish.govt.nz/Page.aspx?pk=16tk=478 Accessed: April 2013.

Ministry for Primary Industries (2012) Report from the Fisheries Assessment Plenary, May 2012: stock assessments and yield estimates (part 2). Compiled by Ministry for Primary Industries Fisheries Science Group, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand. 1194p. Available online at: http://fs.fish.govt.nz/Page.aspx?pk=113dk=23097 Accessed: April 2013.

Ministry for Primary Industries (2012). Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Annual Review 2012. Compiled by the Fisheries Management Science Team, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand. 388 p. 66

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. 2012. Stock status for Quota Management System species (last updated November 2012).

Fisheries 2030: New Zealanders maximising benefits from the use of fisheries within environmental limits (landing page). New Zealand MPI, 2011. Online at: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Fisheries+2030/default.htm Accessed: April 2013. (The Fisheries 2030 document itself is available to download from this page/)

Ministry for Primary Industries (2007) Quota Management System - Chapter 2: Setting catch levels to ensure sustainability. Ministry for Primary Industries, 2007. Available online from: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en- nz/Commercial/Quota+Management+System/Full+QMS+Details/default.htm Accessed: April 2013.

NOAA (2013) United States Department of Trade Cumulative trade data by product (Orange roughy). Available at: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/commercial-fisheries/foreign- trade/applications/trade-by-product Accessed May 2013.

NOAA (2011) Imports and Exports of Fishery Products Annual Summary, 2011. Department of Commerce, United States of America. Available online at: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/Assets/commercial/trade/TRADE2011.pdf Accessed: May 2013.

OECD (2005) Country note on national fisheries management systems - New Zealand. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2005. Available online at: http://www.oecd.org/tad/fisheries/fisheriesmanagementsystemsinoecdcountries.htm Accessed: April 2013

Paulin, C., A. Stewart, C. Roberts and P. McMillan, (1989) New Zealand fish: a complete guide. National Museum of New Zealand Miscellaneous Series No. 19. 279 p. Cited in: Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2011.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org: Allocyttus niger - Black oreo Available at: http://fishbase.org/summary/Allocyttus-niger.html Accessed: April 2013

Rieser, A., Watling, L., Guinotte, J. (2013) Trawl fisheries, catch shares and the protection of benthic marine ecosystems: Has ownership generated incentives for seafloor stewardship? Marine Policy 40, pp 75-83.

Seafood Source (2013) Seafood Handbook - Orange Roughy. Available online at: http://www.seafoodsource.com/seafoodhandbook.aspx?id=10737418923 Accessed: May 2013.

SPRFMO (2007) Information describing orange roughy Hoplostethus atlanticus fisheries relating to the South Pacific Regional Fishery Management Organisation. South Pacific Regional Fishery 67

Management Organisation, Wellington, New Zealand (24pp). Available online at: http://www.southpacificrfmo.org/assets/Species-Profiles- Final/orange%20roughy%20species%20profile%20040507.pdf Accessed: April 2013.

Stevens, M. (2003) Seafood Watch Seafood Report: Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus). Monterey Bay Aquarium. Available online at: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/content/media/MBA_SeafoodWa tch_OrangeRoughyReport.pdf Accessed: April 2013.

2012 FDA Seafood List. Accessed April 2013.

Williams, A., Schlacher, T.A. Rowden, A.A., Franziska, A., Clark, M.R,Bowden, D.A., Stewart, R., Bax, N.J., Consalvey, M., Kloser, R.J. (2010) Seamount megabenthic assemblages fail to recover from trawling impacts. Marine Ecology 31 pp183-199

Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the north- eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2. Accessed 17th April 2013. 68

Appendix A: Five year plan

Taken from Ministry of Fisheries National Deepwater Plan for orange roughy {MFish 2010}.

Appendix B: Rationale for main species selection

In choosing the main bycatch species for the purposes of the assessment, the guidelines were followed as closely as possible. Strictly speaking, smooth oreo are the only other species represented in >5% of the catch, at 10% (averaged 06-09 (MFish 2010)). Black oreo represent 1.5% of the catch in that data range; however, the species is managed alongside smooth oreo and was included as the third of the "top three species by volume of catch" as per the Seafood Watch guidelines.

Black cardinalfish are included in the orange roughy Deepwater Plan (MFish 2010) as the fishery overlaps with that of orange roughy. They were originally scoped out here because they represent a very small proportion (0.2%) of the total catch, but have since been added under the rationale that the species are managed together and it is likely that the orange roughy fishery is responsible for a reasonable proportion of fishing mortality of black cardinalfish (although the contribution is not known from available data).

A number of deepwater shark species together comprise 1.8% of the catch, however, none are ETP species and individual species' proportions in the catch are negligible so they were not considered significant.

There is a very low (<0.01 per tow) bycatch of seabirds for the fishery (MFish 2010), a fraction of which are species of concern, including albatrosses. However, the interaction is minimal—in the period 2005-2008, a total of 3 individuals from ETP species (1 Gibson's and 2 Buller's albatrosses) were recorded as incidental bycatch (MFish 2010). This was thought to be negligible in the context of deaths across all fisheries.

Scoping (for main species) notwithstanding, the management of all bycatch species is considered under Criterion 3 (bycatch management), including mitigation for seabird interaction and general efforts to reduce bycatch.

Appendix C: Review schedule

The Deepwater Plan for orange roughy (available online here: http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/9A1D6630-3B77-4739-82AB- DABCDE6FBE84/0/NFP_Deepwater_and_Middledepth_Fisheries_Part_1B_ORANGEROUGHY.pd f or see references) includes comprehensive information about long-term objectives and target dates for completion. There is a five year plan with actions across every aspect of the fishery (stock and bycatch management, monitoring and compliance, ecosystem and habitat effects) that, at the time of this writing, was aiming to be delivered by 2015. Full details of the objectives are in the report itself (reference as above) – Appendix 1 consists of two pages from the report showing the summary of the five year actions.

The relevant contact to obtain updates on progress would be the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (into which the Ministry of Fisheries was recently amalgamated):

Ministry for Primary Industries Pastoral House 25 The Terrace P O Box 2526 Wellington 6140 New Zealand Phone: 0800 00 83 33 Fax: +64 4 894 0720 http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/info/contactus/default.htm