South Pacific RFMO:species of interest
Adam Langley
South Pacific RMFO boundaries
• North – to be determined• South – CCAMLR (60S)• West – Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries
Agreement (SIOFA), 120 E• East – South America
Bathymetry
Bathymetry
Lau Ridge
Norfolk Ridge
Lord Howe Rise
Three Kings Rise
South Tasman Rise
Tonga Ridge
Kermadec Ridge
Louisville Ridge
Species of interest• Develop profiles using agreed target species template for:
– Orange roughy– Jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi)– Squids– As many the following identified target species as possible:
Beryx splendens AlfonsinoEpigonus telescopus Black cardinalfishEpigonus notacanthus CardinalfishHyperoglyphe antarctica BluenoseOreosomatidae Oreos (Smooth/black oreo)Dissostichus eleginoides Patagonian toothfishPseudopentaceros richardsoni Richardson’s boarfish/amorheadPolyprion americanus, P. oxygeneios Bass/grouperMora moro RibaldoPlagiogeneion rubiginosum RubyfishEtelis spp., Pristipomoides spp. Deepwater snappersJasus caveorum Rock lobsterProjasus bahamondei Rock lobsterSeriola lalandi, Seriola spp. KingfishCentrolophus niger Blackfish
Others, e.g. Ray’s bream, deepwater prawns, scampi, ?, ?
Orange roughy• Deepwater 800-1200m.• Associated with ridges, seamounts.• Spawning/non spawning aggregations.• Rapid depletion of localised (sub) populations.• Fisheries on Louisville, Lord Howe, Norfolk,
Kermadec (?).
Jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi)
• Semi pelagic, 10-300 m.• Pelagic (midwater) trawling.• Westward movement of
species in late 1980s/1990s. NZ and Australia.
• Targeted by USSR trawlers in mid Pacific.
• 5 million mt in late 1990s.• Moderately to fully exploited.
Squids• NZ and Australia.• Arrow squid
(Nototodarus sloanii, N. gouldi).
• Midwater trawl and jig fisheries. Continental shelf edge.
Other species identified• Demersal fish species associated with
shallow/deep seamount features. Mainly located in the subtropical and temperate waters (south of 20S).
• Subtropical deepwater snapper species.• Isolated rock lobster populations.• Others.
400 mDepth
1000 m
Black oreo
Bluenose
Rubyfish Richardsonsboarfish
Black cardinalfish
Alfonsino
Smooth oreo
Deepwater, seamount habitat
Summary• Limited area in RFMO region accessible to
bottom trawling.• Many areas already explored. Many of the
species are vulnerable to over-exploitation; aggregations on seamount features.
• Species of interest principally distributed in southern areas of region.
• Exceptions: deepwater snappers, alfonsino. Relevance to PICTs.