Tarakihi stocks in shocking state after decades of overfishing - report

The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) says the stocks of iconic New Zealand fish tarakihi are in a shocking state after decades of overfishing.

In a 2026 assessment of the country's tarakihi stocks, Fisheries New Zealand - which oversees the country's fishing resources - found stocks on the eastern coast had fallen to around 8 percent of the original spawning biomass level, while stocks on the western coast had fallen to around 29 percent.

Original spawning biomass is the weight of all adult breeding fish in the absence of fishing.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) deemed stock with a biomass level below the soft limit (20 percent) to be overfished or depleted and needing to be rebuilt.

EDS policy director Raewyn Peart said the information released by Fisheries NZ on the tarakihi stock levels showed the stock along the eastern coast of the country had been declining since the 1940s and had been overfished for six decades.

She said the western coast stock had also been in long-term decline, but the trend accelerated dramatically after 2017.

"After 40 years of what we've repeatedly been told is a world-class fisheries management system, New Zealand's third most valuable inshore finfish fishery is on the brink," Peart said.

Peart said tarakihi was an iconic fish for many New Zealanders, consumed at home, and a staple in restaurants, supermarkets and fish and chip shops across the country.

"The collapse of tarakihi highlights multiple failures in our quota management system which was tasked with keeping the stock healthy," she said.

She said those included a chronic lack of investment in fisheries science and previous stock assessments failing to account for the impacts of climate change, which had likely reduced the number of young tarakihi fish entering populations (low recruitment).

EDS was calling for complete closure of the entire fishery to provide the best chance of recovery.

"We are also seeking full protection of tarakihi juvenile habitat, juvenile aggregation areas and spawning areas from trawling and Danish seining," Peart said.

Fisheries New Zealand was consulting on significant reductions to tarakihi catch limits and potential restrictions on fishing to protect juvenile populations.

It was proposing three options which would reduce commercial fishing limits by between 39 and 78 percent on the east coast and 55 to 84 percent on the west coast.

Fisheries New Zealand fisheries management director Emma Taylor said the latest information did show fewer young tarakihi fish were entering the populations.

"This low recruitment has coincided with warmer sea temperatures and scientists are unsure whether this is a short-term issue that may improve as fishing pressure is reduced or part of a long-term decline linked to a changing environment."

"To support a needed recovery of the tarakihi stocks, we are seeking public feedback on proposed changes to management settings and supporting measures for tarakihi, including potential fishing restrictions in tarakihi nursery and juvenile areas."

She said Fisheries New Zealand made a significant annual investment in fisheries science.

"Fisheries science is complex and constantly evolving, reflecting new developments and data collected from fisheries.

"To manage this, our fisheries science process incorporates several levels of assurance, including internal review, science working groups, independent review, and international audits."

She said as part of this, they incorporated feedback and evidence from a range of sources through their science working groups.

She said a wide range of participants were invited to take part in these working groups, including environmental NGOs, external research providers, recreational fishing organisations, and the fishing industry.

"Our management proposals for tarakihi are supported by the latest evidence, noting there is significant complexity in the management of these stocks," Taylor said.

Consultation was open until 24 July.