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Flatfish/Flounder/Sole/Brill/Turbot
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Flatfish/Flounder: Quick Facts
Scientific name: rhomosolea retiaria (black flounder), R. leporine (yellowbelly flounder), R. plebeian (dab/sand flounder), R. tairina (greenback flounder), Colistium guntheri (brill), C. nudipinnis (turbot), Pelotretis flaviatus (lemon sole), Peltorhamphus novaezealandiae (NZ sole).
Other names: Paatikitotara (Maori: yellow-belly flounder), paatiki (Maori: sand flounder, greenback flounder, NZ sole), paatikimohoao (Maori: black flounder), kutuhori, paatiki rore, pakeke (Maori: NZ sole), patikinui (Maori: brill), paatiki nui (Maori: turbot).
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Best Fish Guide: Flatfish/Flounder/Sole/Brill
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Description: These eight flatfish species grow rapidly and are caught mainly by inshore bottom trawling, with smaller amounts in set nets and smaller beach drag nets. Sand flounder is the most abundant species and is found only in New Zealand.
Ecological concerns: Management of eight species as one fishstock, uncertain stock structures and sustainability of catch limits plus limited research (uncertain age of the fish when caught, lack of basic biological data for some of the species and absence of yield estimates) and the lack of a management plan. Bottom trawling causes serious damage to benthic species and communities, whilst set netting is associated with bycatch of endangered Hector’s dolphins, other marine mammals, seabirds, sharks and other non-target fish. Flatfish fishing was made exempt from the May 2008 set net restrictions as the fishery is thought to pose a lower risk than other set net fisheries due to low net height. However, it is unclear whether this is the case given the absence of observers on vessels using this gear.
Economic value: New Zealand market plus exports of $8 million, mainly to Australia, China and Spain.
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (8 species) (score B)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D)
Management and management unit (score D and E)
For a full ecological assessment click here