REC2001-02 Survey Marine Recreational Fishing North Otago Final

Taihoro Nukurangi

North Otago Marine Recreational Fishing Survey 2002/2003

G. D. James M. J. Dnwin

Final Research Report for Ministry of Fisheries Project REC2001/02

National Institute of Water and Atmosphere Research

July 2003 Final Research Report

Report Title North Otago Marine Recreational Fishing Survey 200212003

Authors G. D. James; M. J. Unwin

1. Date July 2003

2. Contractor NIWA

3. Project Title Survey of Recreational Fishing in the Oamaru area

4. Project Code REC2oo1l02

5. Project Leader G.D.James

6. Duration of Project Start date July 2002 Completion date September (now October) 2003

7. Objective:

To characterise the recreational fishery off the Oamaru coastline for management purposes.

Specifically:

To determine the areas fished, species targeted and caught, and methods used by recreational fishers off the Oamaru coastline.

8. Executive Summary

The recreational fishery along the North Otago coast was surveyed over the six months from October 2002 to March 2003. Data on areas fished, fishing effort, fishing methods used, and numbers of all species caught, kept, and released, were collected via boat ramp interviews with private fishers, and via fishing diaries maintained by charter vessel operators.

Almost all recreational fishing recorded during the survey was done by rod and line, with netting, diving, hand gathering, and potting recorded only rarely. Most fishing was recorded between Cape Wanbrow and Lookout Bluff, in the central areas of the survey region.

The fishery was dominated by blue cod, which was the species most frequently targeted and caught, and made up 63% of the total catch. Hapuku was the next most frequently targeted species, particularly by charter vessels which are generally larger than private vessels and can fish further offshore, but comprised only 4% of the catch. Other common species caught incidentally were sea perch, spiny dogfish and red cod, which made up 16%, 7%, and 5% respectively of the catch. Temporal and spatial variability in catch rates for most commonly caught species was low, suggesting the fishery is relatively uniform throughout the survey

1 region. Catch,rates for hapuku were higher towards the end of the survey period, although these data are strongly influenced by records for one charter operator.

Approximately 78% of blue cod caught were retained by fishers, along with 85% of sea perch, 55% of red cod, 100% of hapuku and tarakihi, and 99% of trumpeter, but only 12% of spiny dogfish and 19% ofbarracouta.

Anecdotal information collected during the survey highlighted several issues of potential relevance to fisheries managers. Participating charter vessel operators used only rod and line, but there were anecdotal reports that significant quantities of blue cod were being potted by a few charter vessel operators, and some concern that this was endangering the fishery. fu addition, one experienced charter vessel operator indicated that the size of blue cod had decreased this season, along with an increase in the number of private boats observed fishing.

To promote sustainability of the fishery, local fishing clubs recently introduced a voluntary reduction in daily bag limits which has apparently met with widespread support.

9. Methods

A survey developed by NIWA to characterise the recreational fishery off the North Otago coastline was conducted from 1 October 2002 through 31 March 2003. It comprised two principal data collection techniques - a diary of fishing activities for charter vessel operators, similar to that used in the earlier national survey of recreational fishing from charter vessels (James & Unwin 2000), and boat ramp interviews of private fishers conducted at each of the three boat ramps in the region. In addition, opportunities were taken to seek information on . the fishery from local fishers, including those prominent in local fishing clubs.

The region was divided into four similarly-sized areas (A to D) (Fig. 1) based on readily recognisable coastal features. We also added a fifth area (E), to the south of the survey region; because it included the Moeraki boat launching ramp which was frequently used by fishers to gain access to the main survey region.

Although four charter vessel operators were known to work in the area (three of whom are regulars), only two (including the intermittent operator) were prepared to complete diaries. Data from these two operators are presented here, and whereas we cannot be sure that they are representative of the total charter fleet, it is likely that they are broadly similar. Conversations with the non-participants suggested that their main concern was that any information they provided might subsequently be used against them. Copies of the diary sheets are provided in Appendix 1.

Boat ramp interviews were conducted by locally contracted persons at all three boat ramps in the region - Oamaru, Kakanui, and Moeraki (Fig. 1)- over the six month survey period. Two persons were employed to monitor each of the Oamaru and Moeraki ramps, with one person covering Kakanui. These five persons were contacted by phone, then visited, provided with a boat ramp interviewing kit, and instructed in how to complete good records. All were retired men who had had a major involvement in the recreational fishery over the years, and were keen to assist in collecting data which could contribute to better management. We provided them with NIW A name badges, and none reported major problems with uncooperative fishers. Regular phone calls and occasional personal visits were made to ensure continuing collection of good data. The interviewers were keen to provide useful extra information

2 related to activities of the recreational fishery, which has been helpful in drafting some of the conclusions for this report. At the end of the survey period, letters of thanks were sent to the interviewers, together with gift vouchers of appreciation. Copies of the interview instructions and recording form are also provided in Appendix 1.

Both the diary and boat ramp interview forms allowed for collection of additional information to that specified in the tender, namely data on number of fishers, whether fishers were from NZ or overseas, hours fished, and the number of each species caught (both kept and released). Information on effort enabled estimation of catch rates for the major species by area and month, which in turn allowed for examination of variability in the relative abundance of species, which is otherwise often obscured by changes in fishing effort.

Diaries and boat ramp interviews would be expected to cover all recreational fishing methods employed in the area, except hand gathering. It was concluded that it was impractical to try to assess the importance of hand gathering as part of this survey, as the frequency of activity along this coastline is too low to be practically sampled.

Data were entered into a Microsoft Access database, and analysed using Microsoft Excel pivot tables.

There was some confusion in this area over the common names for wrasse species, but we established that in general "wrasse" referred to banded wrasse, and "parrotfish" to scarlet wrasse/red parrotfish. Use of sevengill shark in this report refers to broadnosed sevengill shark.

10. Results

Fishing effort A total of 333 boat ramp interviews were undertaken, 121 at the Oamaru boat ramp, 150 at Kakanui, and 62 at Moeraki (Table 1). Peak activity (65-86 interviews per month) was recorded in December, January, and March, with lower but still significant activity (23-45 interviews per month) at other times. Interview location was most variable during spring, when bad weather was common, with little activity at Kakanui and Oamaru but considerably more at Moeraki where there is a sheltered launching site.

Eighty percent of fishers interviewed fished in areas B and C (Fig. 1, Table 2), with areas A and D receiving relatively little use. Number of fishers, hours fished and fisher-hours were distributed similarly by area and month (Table 2).

Diarist data from charter vessels are more limited, but showed a similar pattern to the boat ramp interviews, with areas B and C the most frequently fished (Table 3). The number of fishers, hours fished and fisher-hours were distributed similarly by area and month (Table 3). As noted earlier only two charter operators maintained diaries, and they operated in different areas, with one fishing principally in areas B and C, but also area A, and the other only in area D. Their level of effort also varied greatly, with the latter diarist making only 10% of total diarist trips. Only 3% of fishers on charter vessels were overseas visitors.

3 Of the 333 trips for which interview data were collected, 94% targeted blue cod, 5% hapuka, and 1% other species (crayfish, red cod, paua, and kina). This pattern was markedly different to that of charter vessels, where of the 50 diarist trips, 68% targeted hapuka, and 32% blue cod.

By far the most popular fishing method was rod and line, which was used on 331 (99.4%) of interview trips. Two trips (0.6%) also used set netting, and a further two also used diving (for rock lobsters). The remaining two interviews were for diving trips, one for kina and the other for paua. All charter vessel trips for which we have records used lining only.

Catches Blue cod was by far the most common species caught by lining, making up 63.2% of the total catch by number (Table 4). Sea perch comprised 16.5% of the catch, followed by spiny dogfish (7.4%), red cod (4.9%) and hapuku (3.9%). Barracouta, tarakihi and scarlet wrasse were the next most abundant (each comprising 0.5%-1.3% of the total), with another 17 species making up the remaining 1.6%. Moki and elephant fish were the only species recorded caught in set nets (Table 4), but effort was very small and other species such as butterfish (known locally as greenbone), and some wrasses are also known to be caught by this method. Diving was undertaken for rock lobster, paua, and kina, but fishing effort for these species also was small.

Of the common species most frequently caught by line, 78% of blue cod were retained by fishers, 85% of sea perch, only 12% of spiny dogfish, 55% of red cod, 100% of hapuku, 19% of barracouta, 100% of tarakihi, and 47% of scarlet wrasse (Table 4). Of the minor species, all moki, leatheIjacket, witch, kahawai, and sand flounder were kept. The species most frequently released were spiny dogfish, barracouta, wrasses, carpet shark, large sharks, hagfish, and octopus. All elephant fish and 63% of moki which had b~en caught by set net were kept, whereas 89% of kin a, 59% of paua, and 56% of rock lobster were retained by divers (Table 4).

The number of each fish species caught by lining varied markedly by area (Table 5), with greatest numbers of virtually all species taken in areas Band C. However, when these catches were adjusted by effort, the catch per unit effort (CPUE, expressed as fish per fisher-hour) was similar across areas. For blue cod, for example, CPUE only varied between 2.71 and 3.97, with a mean value of 3.46 (Table 6). Mean CPUE for other abundant species (i.e., those for which total catch exceeded 1000 fish) were 0.90,0.41,0.27, and 0.21 for sea perch, spiny dogfish, red cod, and hapuku, respectively.

There was little evidence of strongly seasonal patterns in species abundance. Total monthly catches were often variable, peaking in December/January and March for blue cod, sea perch, spiny dogfish, and red cod, and in February/March for hapuku (Table 7). Increased hapuku catches in February/March reflect the influence of charter vessels, which mostly targeted hapuku at this time. After taking effort into account, however, monthly variation in CPUE was generally much less than in the unadjusted catch data (Table 8). In particular, CPUE for blue cod varied by less than ±25% (range 2.93-4.77) between months.

For the two most frequently targeted species (blue cod and hapuku), we also cross-tabulated variation in CPUE by area and month (Table 9). There did not appear to be any consistent pattern for blue cod, but there was some evidence that hapuku catch rates increased in area C in February and area B in March. However, CPUE estimates for hapuku are strongly

4 influenced by data from one charter operator, who accounted for over 75% of hapuku taken in February in March, and are not necessarily representative.

11. Discussion

General trends Recreational fishing off the North Otago coast is strongly dominated by blue cod. This is the most frequently targeted species, and accounts for almost two thirds of the total catch, with almost 80% of fish caught being retained. Hapuku are the only other significant target species and are always kept by fishers, but account for less than 4% of the total catch. Another three species (sea perch, spiny dogfish, and red cod) account for just under 30% of the total, although only sea perch (and, to a lesser extent, red cod) tend to be retained. A further 24 species, of which tarakihi, trumpeter, and gurnard are of most interest to fishers, make up the remaining 4.3% of fish caught.

Analysis of CPUE for the most abundant species suggests that the fishery is relatively uniform throughout the whole North Otago area (Moeraki to the Waitaki River), and over the six months from October to March. This is consistent with the local environment: the coastline (facing ESE) is mostly open, with few sheltered embayments or offshore reefs, and the bathmetry grades evenly out to 50 m and beyond, with isobaths generally straight and parallel to the coast. Although the survey did not collect data on the depths at which each vessel fished, the catch statistics are consistent with the depth preferences of each species. Blue cod are caught closer inshore, where most vessels encountered during boat ramp interviews are likely to have fished, and hence tend to dominate catch statistics for these vessels. By contrast, hapuku are more commonly caught somewhat deeper, in waters which are more likely to be fished by larger charter vessels.

Species composition of the catch was very much as anticipated, with only a few minor anomalies. The absence of any catch records for butterfish, and very few for moki, is noteworthy, as both species are known to be present in the area and are targeted by set netters. We attribute this to the small number of trips (2 out of 333) during which set nets were used. Similar comments apply to recreational potting for rock lobsters, which is also likely to occur, especially outside the period surveyed.

Fishery issues Because of the nature of the survey, which involved developing and maintaining a close liaison with boat ramp interviewers and participating charter operators, a considerable amount of anecdotal information was accumulated over the six months during which data were collected. Although not part of the original survey objectives, some of the main points to emerge are discussed here, in the hope that this information may help to guide subsequent management decisions.

As noted earlier, at least two non-participating charter operators based at Moeraki are believed (by other local fishers) to regularly use potting to catch blue cod for clients. Many local fishers consider that this method is inappropriate for long-term sustainability of the fishery, and suggested that it may explain the reluctance of these operators to keep records. Local fishers, including several boat ramp interviewers, were very concerned at the numbers of fish being taken in this way, believing it is only possible to take such large numbers using potting, especially during rough weather. For example, we were told that, on some trips during bad weather, clients returned with large catches of blue cod without a fishing line ever

5 being put over the side. Based on reported catches of blue cod by fishers who have been on charter vessel fishing trips, locals pointed out that these vessels could easily be taking more than the commercial catch quota for blue cod in the area. Note that the blue cod catch for six months by one participating charter vessel operator who was adhering to the new voluntary limits, was 5704 fish, some 51 % of the total blue cod catch by all 331 boat ramp interviewees boat ramps. There would thus appear to be strong local support for a ban on potting for blue cod by recreational fishers, including charter vessel operators.

More generally, there was considerable concern about the overall sustainability of the recreational fishery. One experienced fisher believed there had been a marked increase in the number of recreational craft over the survey period compared with previous years, with up to 25 runabouts out each day over weekends, and also believed there had been a noticeable reduction in the size of blue cod this season. In an attempt to ensure the fishery remains sustainable, a new voluntary bag limit has been promoted by local fishing clubs at Oamaru, Kakanui, Moeraki, and Shag Point, and this was introduced on 1 January 2003. This sets daily bag limits per person at 25 for sea perch, 20 for blue cod (down from 30), and 3 for hapuku (down from 5). Reports from boat ramp interviewers, club representatives, and both participating charter vessel operators indicated very strong support for this measure.

12. Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Based on a six month survey from October 2002 to March 2003, the recreational fishery along the North Otago coast is dominated by rod and line fishing, primarily for blue cod and (to a lesser extent) hapuku. 2. Most fishing was recorded between Cape Waribrow and Lookout Bluff. 3. Temporal and spatial variability in catch rates for most commonly caught species was low, suggesting the fishery is relatively uniform throughout the survey region. 4. Anecdotal information collected during the survey highlighted several concerns about the sustain ability of the recreational fishery, with considerable local support for (a) a ban on potting for blue cod by recreational fishers, including charter vessel operators, and (b) converting voluntary bag limits (adopted by local fishing clubs in January 2003) into regulations.

13. Publications

This report.

14. Data storage

Currently in an Access database at NIWA Christchurch. When finalised on the Empress database at NlWA, Greta Point.

6 15. Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to the charter vessel operators who kept diaries, to the boat ramp interviewers who forfeited many of their weekends and holidays to cover busy fishing times, and to the fishers themselves who were prepared to contribute infonnation on their fishing activities. Without all of these, this survey would not have been possible ..

16. References

James, G.D., Unwin, M.J. (2000). National marine diary survey of recreational fishing from charter vessels, 1997-98. NIWA Technical Report 70. 40 p.

17. Appendices

Appendix 1 contains copies of the diary fonn and instruction sheets used by charter vessel operators during the survey; appendix 2 the boat ramp interview fonn and instruction sheet for interviewers.

7 r 10 km

• Launching ramp

4S0 11.8' S

4S0 16.S' S

4S0 21.0' S

4S0 25.0' S

170° SO' E

Figure 1. Map of the North Otago coastline showing the areas used in this survey.

8 Table 1. Boat ramp interviews, by month and location, for the North Otago marine recreational fishing survey.

Location Year Month Oamaru Kakanui Moeraki Total 2002 October 0 6 32 38 November 0 7 16 23 December 29 28 8 65 2003 January 38 48 0 86 February 19 20 6 45 March 35 41 0 76 Total 121 150 62, 333

Table 2. Boat ramp interview data (number of interviews, number of fishers, number of hours, and number of fISher-hours) by month and fishing area for the North Otago marine recreational fishing survey.

2002 2003 Area Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Total Interviews A 1 4 5 B 2 18 25 14 30 89 C 5 9 36 57 25 46 178 D 16 9 3 2 30 E 15 5 7 4 31

Fishers A 1 9 10 B 4 49 70 39 82 244 C 10 20 86 130 55 107 408 D 48 22 8 5 83 E 45 11 20 10 86

Hours A 1 9 10 B 5 64 91 48 129 336 C 18 37 126 176 74 157 587 D 46 36 8 8 98 E 52 19 22 14 107

Fisher-hours A 1 19 20 B 10 163 228 134 368 903 C 34 82 303 405 164 368 1355 D 139 88 19 20 266 E 162 42 63 36 303

Total interviews 38 23 65 86 45 76 333 Total fishers 107 53 164 209 109 189 831 Total hours 121 92 219 276 143 286 1136 Total fisher-hours 345 212 549 651 354 736 2846

9' Table 3. Charter vessel diary data (number of trips, number of fishers, number of hours, and number of f'Jsher-hours) by month and fIShing area for the North Otago marine recreational fIShing survey.

2002 2003 Area Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Total Trips A 1 3 2 1 2 9 B 1 4 3 12 20 C 6 2 1 7 16 D 5 5

Fishers A 11 31 20 10 19 91 B 8 42 31 101 182 C 55 21 11 70 157 D 39 39

Hours A 4 17 9 5 11 46 B 5 20 17 51 93 C 24 10 7 33 74 D 17 17

Fisher-hours A 44 189 90 50 107 480 B 40 209 174 448 871 C 220 105 77 332 734 D 135 135

Total trips 7 12 7 2 8 14 50 Total fishers 63 113 73 20 80 120 469 Total hours 29 51 41 9 38 62 229 Total fisher-hours 260 493 440 90 382 555 2220

10 Table 4. Combined interview and diary catches, by fishing method and species, showing the number of fish kept, the number released alive, and the total catch. The right hand column shows, for each species, the percentage of fish which were kept.

Number kept Number released Total catch N % of total N % of total N % of total % kept Lining Blue cod 13604 67.8 3803 50.8 17407 63.2 78 Sea perch 3844 19.2 691 9.2 4535 16.5 85 Spiny dogfish 248 1.2 1799 24.0 2047 7.4 12 Red cod 748 3.7 609 8.1 1357 4.9 55 Hapuku 1079 5.4 1 0.0 1080 3.9 100 Barracouta 68 0.3 290 3.9 358 1.3 19 Tarakihi 174 0.9 0 0.0 174 0.6 100 Scarlet wrasse 65 0.3 73 1.0 138 0.5 47 Trumpeter 87 0.4 1 0.0 88 0.3 99 School shark 32 0.2 33 0.4 65 0.2 49 Gumard 52 0.3 12 0.2 64 0.2 81 Banded wrasse 19 0.1 44 0.6 63 0.2 30 Carpet shark 0 0.0 61 0.8 61 0.2 0 Rig 23 0.1 34 0.5 57 0.2 40 Wrasses 7 0.0 19 0.3 26 0.1 27 Moki 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 100 Skate 4 0.0 4 0.1 8 0.0 50 Sevengill shark 0 0.0 3 0.0 3 0.0 0 Leatherjacket 2 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.0 100 Octopus 0 0.0 2 0.0 2 0.0 0 Witch 2 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.0 100 Hagfish 0 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 0 Kahawai 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 100 Sand flounder 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 100 Porbeagle shark 0 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 0 Total 20061 100.0 7481 100.0 27542 100.0 73

Diving Kina 16 52 2 15 18 41 89 Paua 10 32 7 54 17 39 59 Rock lobster 5 16 4 31 9 20 56 Total 31 100 13 100 44 100 70

Netting Moki 10 45 6 100 16 57 63 Elephant fish 12 55 0 0 12 43 100 Total 22 100 6 100 28 100 79

11 Table 5. Total catches by species and area (lining only).

Area Species A B C D E Total Blue cod 1781 4780 8255 1509 1082 17407 Sea perch 708 2520 1077 175 55 4535 Spiny dogfish 120 642 1139 114 32 2047 Red cod 59 123 1092 58 25 1357 Hapuku 156 476 441 7 1080 Barracouta 7 144 180 19 8 358 Tarakihi 62 56 50 4 2 174 Scarlet wrasse 12 28 97 1 138 Trumpeter 36 35 10 3 4 88 School shark 36 26 2 1 65 Gurnard 9 55 64 Banded wrasse 5 56 2 63 Carpet shark 35 25 1 61 Rig 5 50 2 57 Wrasses 13 8 1 4 26 Skate 4 4 8 Sevengill shark 3 3 Leatherj acket 1 1 2 Octopus 1 2 Witch 2 2 Hagfish 1 1 Kahawai 1 1 Moki 1 1 Sand flounder 1 1 Porbeagle shark 1 1 Total 2945 8913 12570 1896 1218 27542

Table 6. CPUE (fISh per fisher-hour) by species and area (lining only, N ~ 100).

Area Species A B C D E Total Blue cod 3.57 2.71 3.97 3.83 3.62 3.46 Sea perch 1.42 1.43 0.52 0.44 0.18 0.90 Spiny dogfish 0.24 0.36 0.55 0.29 0.11 0.41 Red cod 0.12 0.07 0.52 0.15 0.08 0.27 Hapuku 0,31 0.27 0.21 0.02 0.21 Barracouta 0.01 0.08 0.09 0.05 0.03 0.07 Tarakihi 0.12 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.03 Scarlet wrasse 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.03

12 Table 7. Total catches by species and month (lining only).

Species Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Total Blue cod 1819 2884 3236 3485 2204 3779 17407 Sea perch 259 780 1019 344 471 1662 4535 Spiny dogfish 70 208 611 315 314 529 2047 Red cod 65 157 415 256 100 364 1357 Hapuku 105 52 178 115 262 368 1080 Barracouta 17 32 84 122 57 46 358 Tarakihi 3 14 43 28 59 27 174 Scarlet wrasse 32 10 52 6 22 16 138 Trumpeter 4 9 33 16 8 18 88 School shark 1 21 24 9 10 65 Gurnard 1 2 9 6 2 44 64 Banded wrasse 22 2 5 9 15 10 63 Carpet shark 1 2 23 12 13 10 61 Rig 4 16 16 16 5 57 Wrasses 4 8 13 26 Skate 1 2 3 2 8 Sevengill shark 2 1 3 Leatberj acket 1 1 2 Octopus 1 1 2 Witch 1 1 2 Hagfish 1 Kahawai 1 Moki 1 Sand flounder 1 Porbeagle shark 1 1 Total 2404 4160 5758 4773 3557 6890 27542

Table 8. CPUE (fISh per fisher-hour) by species and month (lining only, N ~ 100).

Species Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Total Blue cod 3.06 4.09 3.29 4.77 3.00 2.93 3.46 Sea perch 0.44 1.11 1.04 0.47 0.64 1.29 0.90 Spiny dogfish 0.12 0.30 0.62 0.43 0.43 0.41 0.41 Red cod 0.11 0.22 0.42 0.35 0.14 0.28 0.27 Hapuku 0.18 0.07 0.18 0.16 0.36 0.29 0.21 Barracouta 0.03 0.05 0.09 0.17 0.08 0.04 0.07 Tarakihi 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.03 Scarlet wrasse 0.05 0.01 0.05 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.03

13 Table 9. Total effort (top, fISher-hours), and total catch for blue cod (middle) and hapuku (bottom), by area and month. Figures in parentheses show CPUE (fish per fisher-hour).

Area Effort A B C D E Total Oct 50 254 132 158 594 Nov 44 209 187 223 42 705 Dec 189 333 380 19 63 984 Jan 109 225 397 730 Feb 50 132 496 20 36 734 Mar 107 816 368 1291 Total 499 1765 2080 394 299 5037 Blue cod Oct 218 (404) 810 (3.2) 373 (2.8) 418 (2.7) 1 819 (3.1) Nov 235 (5.3) 612 (2.9) 802 (4.3) 937 (4.2) 298 (7.1) 2884 (4.1) Dec 670 (3.5) 816 (2.5) 1427 (3.8) 94 (5.0) 229 (3.6) 3236 (3.3) Jan 544 (5.0) 779(3.5) 2162 (5.5) 3485 (4.8) Feb 180 (3.6) 416 (3.2) 1366 (2.8) 105 (5.3) 137 (3.8) 2204 (3.0) Mar 152 (lA) 1939 (204) 1688 (4.6) 3779 (2.9) Total 1 781 (3.6) 4780 (2.7) 8255 (4.0) 1509 (3.8) 1082 (3.6) 17 407 (3.5) Hapuku Oct 105 (0.3) 105 (0.2) Nov 45 (0.2) 1 (0.0) 6 (0.0) 52 (0.1) Dec 55 (0.2) 64 (0.3) 58 (0.2) 1 (0.0) 178 (0.2) Jan 62 (0.1) 27 (0.1) 26 (0.1) 115 (0.2) Feb 36 (0.1) 18 (0.1) 208 (0.8) 262 (004) Mar 3 (0.0) 322 (lA) 43 (0.1) 368 (0.3) Total 156 (004) 476 (1.8) 441 (1.1) 7 (0.0) 1080 (0.2)

14 Appendix 1. Copies of the instruction and data sheets in the diaries supplied to charter vessel operators, and the instruction and data sheets for the boat ramp interviewers. 200212003 North Otago Recreational Fishing Survey

Thank you as a charter boat operator for taking part in the 200212003 survey of recreational fishing along the North Otago coast, being undertaken for MFish. This information from charter boat operators will be combined with that from other sources (boat ramp surveys, and fishing clubs), to help build an up to date picture of recreational fishing in the area between the Waitaki River and south of Moeraki. This information will be used by the Ministry of Fisheries to understand and better manage the recreational fishery in the future. Thank you once again for taking part.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. The diary scheme will run from 1 October 2002 until 31 March 2003. During this period, you should fill in the diary every time you make a charter trip with recreational fishers to catch fish or collect shellfish (including rock lobsters). For the purposes of this survey, please note the definition of a charter "trip" on page 2 of these instructions. 2. Each diary contains both fixed and detachable pages, each with space for recording five trips. The detachable pages are to be forwarded to NIWA, while the fixed pages (every second sheet) are for your own records. 3. Please send in your completed pages every month (or earlier, if you are nearing the end of your book). Simply tear out the relevant page(s) and post them back to: FreePost 83636, North Otago Recreational Fishing Survey, NIWA, PO Box 8602, Christchurch. We will contact you regularly to sort out any problems and can supply new diaries when required. 4. Record the total catch and fishing effort for all fishers on your vessel, including yourself. It is very important to fill in the diary for every day of every trip you make, even if your clients caught nothing. 5. Please send in a monthly trip record sheet even if you didn't do any charter fishing! (Just write "didn't fish" across the sheet). This is because it is important to know what times of the year charter operators are not fishing. 6. If you are a commercial fisher, please do not include any trips where you caught fish or shellfish to sell. 7. The examples over the page show how the diary should be filled in. 8. If you have any questions about the diary or the survey, contact Gavin James or Martin Unwin by either: Phone: 03-348-8987 Fax: 03-348-5548 email: [email protected](Gavin);[email protected] (Martin) EXAMPLE TRIP RECORD (this copy.for yourself) Number of Number of fishers Hours Fishing Target Species fish caught spent Trip date Zone Locality NZ Overse fishing method species caught Killed Released

What is a Charter "Trip"?

For the purposes of this diary scheme, a charter trip is the basic unit used to record your fishing effort and catch. A charter boat "trip" is defined as one fishing charter, with one group of fishers, using one fishing method, for at most one day. For example: • a half-day charter with one group of clients, for the sole purpose of line fishing, would be recorded as one trip • a one-day charter with one group of clients, for the sole purpose of line fishing, would be recorded as one trip • a one-day charter with one group of clients, which included line fishing and diving, would be recorded as TWO trips • two half-day charters with two groups of clients, for the sole purpose of line fishing, would be recorded as two trips • a two-day charter, which included both line fishing and potting on each day, would be recorded as FOUR trips Trip date: Please record as day/month/year.

Zone: Please record the approximate depth (or depth range) fished.

Locality: Please record the code (e.g. 8) for the area where your clients went fishing, diving etc., as shown on the accompanying map. If you fished in more than one area during a single trip, please record only the area in which you spent the majority of your time.

Number of fishers: Please record separately the number of New Zealand resident and overseas fishers carried on this trip. Do not include any passengers who did not fish, but include yourself if you also took part.

Hours spent fishing: Please record, to the nearest hour, the length of time your clients actually spent fishing. This will normally be the number of hours during which your clients had their fishing gear in the water. Do not count the time you spent travelling or resting. When analysing the results, we will use this figure to estimate the total number of ''fisher-hours'' for each trip. For example, if you carried six clients, and recorded that you spent five hours line fishing? we would estimate a trip total of 30 fisher-hours.

Type of fishing method: Please specify which of the following fishing methods were used on this trip. If you prefer, you may use the corresponding one letter short code:

L Bottom Line Fishing Includes bottom line fishing for blue cod, sea perch, tarakihi, hapuku (or groper) etc. P Potting Includes potting for rock lobster, blue cod. T Trolling Includes trolling for oceanic sharks, salmon etc. D Extractive Diving Includes diving for rock lobster, paua, for consumption. N Set Netting Includes set netting for bottom fish species. o Other Please specify. Could include longlining, dredging etc.

Species targeted: Please specify the main species that your clients set out to catch, using the names or codes on page 5.

Species caught: Please record all species of fish and/or shellfish that your clients caught, using the names or codes on page 5. Include any dead fish that you discarded or used as bait. Be as precise as you can when naming species. For example, was it a rig or school shark? Do not use general names such as "parrotfish", but refer to the species as (e.g.) banded wrasse, scarlet wrasse.

Number of fish caught: Please record the total catch of legal-sized fish by all fishers on the vessel, including yourself (if appropriate). Record separate tallies for fish killed (including fish discarded or used as bait), and legal-sized fish released alive.

Comments: If you wish to make any comments about a particular trip, please write these on the back of the trip record page. For recording purposes, MFish uses a standard three letter code to identify all marine fish species found in New Zealand waters, some of which (for species likely to be taken by charter fishers) are listed below. To save time, and avoid possible confusion, you may wish to use these short codes on your diary sheet. However, if you encounter a species not listed here, or simply prefer to use the common name, we will assign the correct species code on receiving your data sheets.

Major species Other species: Other species (continued): albacore tuna ALB banded wrasse BPF moki MOK barracouta BAR black marlin BKM packhorse rock lobster PHC bass groper BAS blue mackerel EMA pinkmaomao PMA blue cod BCO blue marlin BEM quinnat salmon SAM bluenose BNS blue shark BWS rattails RAT gurnard GUR broadbill swordfish SWO red pigfish RPI hapuku HAP butterfish or green bone BUT red snapper RSN jack mackerel JMA butterfly perch BPE sand flounder SFL john dory JDO common warehou WAR scarlet wrasse SPF kahawai KAH conger eel CON skate SKA kingfish KIN eagle ray EGR slender tuna STU ling UN elephant fish ELE southern bluefin tuna STN mako shark MAK gemfish SKI thresher shark THR red cod RCO hammerhead shark HHS yellow-belly flounder YBF rig SPO koheru KOH rock lobster CRA school shark SCH sea perch SPE skipjack tuna SKJ snapper SNA spiny dogfish SPD striped marlin STM tarakihi TAR trevally TRE trumpeter TRU yellowfin tuna YFN Appendix 2. The boat ramp interview form used during the 200212003 survey, and instructions for interviewers.

NORTH OTAGO RECREATIONAL FISHING SURVEY - BOAT RAMP INTERVIEWS PAGE D

Interview Location: Date Oamaru Ramp D Kakanui Ramp D Moerakl Ramp D

Boat No. nme (24 hour) Target Speciea DE!:1 _ Weekend or Public HolIday L-...... I....--I...--JI I,-----,---,--'----J 2_Weekday

Main Area FIshed ....----=Loca=tI::;:on::.:..l:(op:ct.::;:lona=I):L.-___..., Number of fishers Interviewer W W I

Number of fish Flahing Speciea caught (Leave blank) kapt released method (laave blank)

I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I FIshing method: L =bottom Une fishing, D =DMng, N =sat Netting, P .. Potting, T =Trolling (for salmon/game fish), 0 .. Other (specify) ------~~-/~\3(~-.~~ Taihoro Nukurangi

Instructions for completing the Boat Ramp Interview forms

The main purpose of this survey is to collect data on species and number of fish caught, areas fished, and fishing methods used by recreational fishers.

The interview involves a series of questions concerning the area fished, the target species, the fishing method used, number of fishers and hours spent fishing, and the number of each fish species caught. You should emphasise that that the survey is being done as a scientific study, and interviews are conducted on a voluntary basis. Fishers can decline to be interviewed.

Timing of Sampling As the purpose of this survey is to obtain as many interviews as possible spread over the 6 month period of the survey (from beginning of October 2002 to end of March 2003), and because weather is such an important factor in determining whether people go fishing, no specific days have been planned for the boat ramp interviewing. Overall we anticipate that interviews will be undertaken at each of the three boat ramps on average about 1 day per week, with about 5 hours allowed for on each day for travelling and interviewing. Obviously being present at the ramp on days when the weather is good and many boats are out fishing will result in more interviews and data for the research. Being present from late morning until mid afternoon may often be the most appropriate timing since that is when most boats return. It does not matter what proportion of days sampled are weekdays compared with weekends/holidays, but please note on the form which type of day it is.

Specific Information Required 1. Please tick the box indicating at which boat ramp JOu are undertaking interviews. 2. Date: record as day/month/year e.g. 911 0/02 for 9 October 2002. 3. Boat number: a boat number should be assigned to each boat (beginning from 1) returning to the ramp during each interview session. Start each new boat on a new form (there are 2 forms to a page). 4. Time: record the time of the interview as 24hour clock e.g. 1515. This is 3.l5pm. 5. Day type: record either 1 for a weekend or public holiday, or 2 for a weekday. 6. Target species: record the main species that was being targeted. If two species were targeted, record both of them; if more than two species were targeted, then record "all". 7. Main area fished: record the main area in which fishing occurred i.e. A, B, C, D, or E. 8 .. Location: If people want to be more specific, then record a description of the location e.g. Fish Reef. 9. Number of fishers: record the number of people on the boat who fished. 10. Hours spent fishing: record the number of whole hours spent fishing. 11. Interviewer: record your initials here. 12. Species caught: write the species name. 13. Number of fish: record the number of fish of each species kept and released. 14. Fishing method: record the letter code for the fishing method used e.g. L for line fishing. NOTE: If more than one method was used on a trip, record the species and catch details for each method on a separate line. 15. Any additional comments can be written on the back of the page.

You can contact me (Gavin James) by Phone: 03-348-8987 or Fax: 03-348-5548 or email: [email protected] . Forms can be returned to N1W A using the following postal address written on any envelope (no postage is required): FreePost 83636, North Otago Recreational Fishing Survey, NIWA, PO Box 8602, Christchurch.