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Southern Blue Whiting
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Southern Blue Whiting: Quick Facts
Scientific name: Micromesistius australis
Other names: Southern poutassou, merlan bleu austral (France, Canada), merlu (Italy), blauer wittling (Germany), minamidara (Japan).
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Best Fish Guide: Southern Blue Whiting
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Description: This deepwater cod species is only found in waters around the Sub-Antarctic Islands, where it schools near the seabed at depths of 450 to 650m. It is therefore targeted and caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries operating in this region, particularly during its spawning season in August to early October. The southern blue whiting trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under an international body - the Marine Stewardship Council.
Ecological concerns: The recorded and projected declines in biomass for two stocks (Campbell and Bounty’s), the unknown sustainability of current catch limits in the two other stocks and the lack of a management plan. Of particular concern is the increasing trend of threatened NZ sea lion captures in this fishery, which has relatively low observer coverage. Also, the impact of bottom trawling, the very high bycatch of NZ fur seals (the highest of any NZ fishery), especially around the Bounty Islands and the deaths of seabirds are of serious concern.
Economic value: The southern blue whiting fishery has an export value of about $22.7 million (2008), with the main markets in Japan, Bulgaria, Australia and China. This fish is also used to make crabsticks or surimi.
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (score D)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and E)
Management and management unit (score C and A)
For a full ecological assessment, click here