The long-term recommended biological catch (RBC) of blue grenadier estimated by the Slope Resource Assessment Group (SlopeRAG) was 4 700 tonnes (SlopeRAG, 2010). The agreed TAC (global) set by the AF MA Commission for the 2009–10 fishing season was 4 700 tonnes. However, the actual TAC (global) was 4 851 tonnes once carryover of uncaught quota was taken into account. The 2009–10 total catch was 3 281 tonnes. There are two distinct blue grenadier fisheries: a fishery targeting spawning aggregations off western Tasmania between late May and early September, and a non-spawning fishery where the catch is caught during general commonwealth trawl sector (CTS) trawling. In 2008–09, the spawning fishery caught 70 percent of the CTS catch.
An age-structured, integrated assessment model for blue grenadier was last updated in 2008, with data up to 2007. The 2008 model estimated that the female spawning biomass was at 0.71B₀ (71 percent of the unfished biomass) in 2007. This was projected to decline to 0.5B₀ in 2009 if catches followed the RBC, as the abundance of strong cohorts from the mid-1990s declined. Most recent catch has taken from the relatively less abundant younger cohorts. The model suggested that the long-term RBC would be about 4 700 tonnes.
SlopeRAG examined standardized CPUE from the non-spawning fishery (Haddon, 2010a), the results of the 2008 acoustic biomass survey (SlopeRAG, 2010) and the size and age composition data (Hobsbawn, 2009). The size and age composition indicate that a new, relatively strong cohort is starting to enter the fishery. Taken together, these indicators and the projection from the 2008 assessment do not raise concerns. The stock remains assessed as not overfished in 2009, and current catch levels indicate that the stock is not subject to overfishing (Stobutzki et al., 2010).

Orange roughy is distributed in the Cascade Plateau, and the east, south and west zones, but its stock structure in Australia remains unclear despite considerable research. It is also worth noting that the south and west zones are not part of FAO Statistical Area 81. The assessments for orange roughy in the east, south and west zones were formally examined in 2008. There is no targeted fishing for orange roughy in these zones. Given the low recent catches (TACs only reflect incidental catch or catch taken under scientific permits) and the closures that have been introduced, all the zones except the Cascade Plateau remain assessed as overfished but not subject to overfishing in 2009.
The assessment for orange roughy on the Cascade Plateau was updated in 2009 based on new examination of the biomass estimate from the 2005 survey. When the biomass estimate was re-evaluated, it was found to include acoustic marks that were probably not orange roughy, which resulted in an overestimate of biomass. The new estimate of biomass in 2005 is now 18 000 tonnes (down from 31 000 tonnes), which results  in an RBC of 315 tonnes. However, the assessment also indicated that the stock is at 64 percent of unfished levels, which is above the limit reference point required under the Orange Roughy  Conservation Programme (ORCP) (AFMA, 2006). In addition, and in contrast to the past two years, the acoustic survey showed defined spawning marks of orange roughy on the Cascade Plateau. As it has been determined that the stock is above the limit reference point, and 2009 catches are below the RBC (465 tonnes), Cascade Plateau orange roughy remains assessed as not overfished and not subject to overfishing (Stobutzki et al., 2010).

An age-structured, integrated stock assessment model for pink cusk-eel was updated in 2009 with data up to 2008 (Taylor, 2010). The model assumes separate stocks east and west of Bass Strait and incorporates the standardized CPUE series from the trawl sector (Haddon, 2010a) and non-trawl sector (2003–08 in the east, 2002–08 in the west) and the fisheries research vessel FRV Kapala surveys (Graham, Andrew and Hodgson, 2001).
The 2009 assessment incorporated some significant changes. In particular, depth was included as a factor in the CPUE standardization (Haddon, 2010a). The year up to which recruits were estimated by the model was changed from five years before the latest assessment to three years (east) and four years (west). The model also used a different approach to capture suspected changes in the targeting behaviour by trawlers that may have affected the trawl CPUE. The 2009 assessment is more optimistic than the 2008 assessment, estimating the spawning biomass at the start of 2008 to be 0.37B₀ in the east and 0.49B₀ in the west (Taylor, 2010). This compares favourably with the estimates of 0.28B₀ in the east and 0.33B₀ in the west in the 2008 assessment. The most recent assessments (2008 and 2009) do not suggest that the biomass in either region has declined below the limit reference point. Therefore, both stocks are assessed as not overfished, although the eastern stock requires some rebuilding to the target biomass (Stobutzki et al., 2010).

Silver gemfish (gemfish in Australia) are found from Cape Moreton (Queensland) to Western Australia, including Tasmania. They also occur in New Zealand, but this appears to be a genetically separate stock. In Australian waters, there are two genetically separate stocks. One stock is found on the east coast within Area 81 and the second occurs from the western Bass Strait to Western Australia. This second stock is found outside Area 81, with limited mixing off western Tasmania.
The RBC for western gemfish calculated by SlopeRAG was 102 tonnes for the 2009–2010 fishing season (SlopeRAG, 2010). The 2009–2010 agreed TAC was 125 tonnes; yet the actual TAC was 135 tonnes after the carryover of uncaught quota was taken into account (Stobutzki et al., 2010). The current assessment (Tier 4) suggests that the current CPUE is above the limit reference point and below the target (Haddon, 2010b). However, given the ongoing concern regarding the fact that the Great Australian Bight Trawl Survey data had not been taken into account in the assessment, western gemfish remain assessed as uncertain with regard to whether they are overfished and whether overfishing is occurring (Stobutzki et al., 2010).
In 2009, the assessment of eastern gemfish was moved to the SS3 modelling framework and updated with 2008 survey data (there was no survey in 2009; Little, 2010). The 2008 SSB was estimated to be 0.15B₀ (15 percent of unexploited levels), which was similar to the level estimated by the previous assessment. Therefore, eastern gemfish remain assessed as overfished because the current biomass is below the 0.20B0 limit reference point (Stobutzki et al., 2010).

Catches of South Pacific breams (Seriolella spp.) consist of blue warehou (Seriolella brama) and silver warehou (Seriolella  punctata). Blue warehou are typically found in southeast Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia) and New Zealand. There are two stocks targeted in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, east and west of Bass Strait. Significant catches of blue warehou have been made by Tasmanian fishers.
The Tier 4 assessment for blue warehou was updated in 2009 (Haddon, 2010b). Separate Tier 4 assessments are undertaken for the east and west stocks. The target reference point was the average CPUE from the reference period 1986–1995, and the limit reference point was 40 percent of this target. The recent standardized CPUE series for both east and west stocks was below the limit reference point, indicating that both stocks remain assessed as overfished.
Silver warehou are found along the south coast of Australia from South Australia to Victoria, including Tasmania. A recent study did not indicate the existence of separate stocks east and west of the Bass Strait. Thus, a single stock is assumed for management purposes (Stobutzki et al., 2010). In 2009, a fully updated Tier 1 assessment was undertaken, which included updated catch and discard data. The 2009 assessment indicated that the SSB was 44 percent of unfished levels. The biomass is estimated to have increased to 48 percent in 2010. As the model indicates that the biomass is close to the target stock biomass of 48 percent of the unfished biomass and the levels of catch have been low, silver warehou remains assessed as not overfished and not subject to overfishing (Stobutzki et al., 2010).

Blue mackerel are found throughout continental shelf waters in southern Australia. Separate stocks have been identified east and west of 146°30’E in Australian waters. Only the east stock is covered by Area 81. No formal stock assessment was made for blue mackerel in 2009. The RBCs in 2008–09 were set using Harvest Strategy rules and relate to the time since the last DEPM survey. The DEPM survey was undertaken in 2005, three years before the RBC was set. The RBC was set at 6 000 tonnes in the east and 8 400 tonnes in the west. These catch estimates are 15 percent of the biomass estimates. After consideration of state catches, the commonwealth TAC was set at 5 400 tonnes in the east and left at 8 400 tonnes in the west. The spawning biomass estimates calculated from the DEPM survey are considered to be between 0.7B₀ and 0.9B₀. Therefore, both the east and west stocks are assessed as not overfished. Total catches in 2009 were well below the RBCs for both stocks. Therefore, the stocks are assessed as not subject to overfishing (Hobsbawn, Larcombe and Mazur, 2010).

Blue grenadier is called hoki in New Zealand. Annual stock assessment reviews of hoki are undertaken by New Zealand scientists, often in collaboration with international scientists. The process is public, transparent and peer reviewed. The Ministry of Fisheries publishes the outcomes of stock assessments every year and catch limits are reviewed annually based on this information. The New Zealand hoki fishery has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.
Hoki are widely distributed throughout New Zealand waters from 34°S to 54°S, from depths of 10 m to over 900 m, with greatest abundance between 200 and 600 m. Large adult fish are generally found deeper than 400 m, while juveniles are more abundant in shallower water. The two main spawning grounds on the west coast of the South Island and in the Cook Strait are considered to comprise fish from separate stocks. This is based on the geographical separation of their spawning grounds and several other factors.
The hoki fishery was developed by Japanese and then-Soviet vessels in the early 1970s. Before the declaration of the EEZ and the implementation of the QMS, catches peaked at 100 000 tonnes in 1977. Hoki was introduced into the QMS in 1986 with a catch limit of 250 000 tonnes. The hoki catch then increased to a peak of 269 000 tonnes in 1997–98. Poor recruitment saw the TACC reduced through the early 2000s to 90 000 tonnes in 2007 and then increase to the current level of 120 000 tonnes as the stock has rebuilt.
Hoki is managed as one administrative stock; however, the western and eastern stocks are assessed separately. Non-regulatory catch limits are in place to ensure that the catch is spread appropriately across the two stocks. The 2011 stock assessment estimated the eastern stock to be at 53 percent B₀ and virtually certain (> 99 percent probability) to be above the lower limit of the management target range (35–50 percent B₀). The western stock was estimated to be at 41 percent B₀ and very likely (> 90 percent probability) to be above the lower end of the management target range. The western stock has been rebuilding in recent years. The biomass is expected to increase at current catch levels and was declared as being fully rebuilt by the stock assessment working group.

Southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) is a schooling species generally confined to sub-Antarctic waters. Although dispersed for much of the year, commercial vessels target southern blue whiting in late winter to early spring when the fish aggregate to spawn at depths of 250–600 m. Four spawning areas have been identified: Bounty Platform, Pukaki Rise, Auckland Islands Shelf and the Campbell Island Rise (MinFish, 2008). These four areas are managed separately as unit stocks. About 20 000–30 000 tonnes of southern blue whiting is caught each year, and it is an important catch for the middle-depths trawl fleet.
The latest assessment shows that the Campbell Island Rise stock has a 40–60 percent probability of being at or above the management target of 40 percent B₀ (MinFish, 2011c). For the Campbell Island stock, B₂₀₀₉ was estimated to be 136 000 tonnes, corresponding to 41 percent B₀. It is projected that the stock will increase in the next 1–2 years as the recent recruits enter the fishery.
The Bounty Platform stock was assessed in 2009, but data from a 2010 survey led experts to believe the biomass estimates were too high. The current stock status for the Bounty Platform is therefore unknown but is unlikely (< 40 percent probability) to be below 20 percentB₀.
The biomass of the Pukaki Rise stock is thought to be stable, while the sustainability of current catch limits in the Auckland Islands stock is unknown (MinFish, 2011d). The National Fisheries Plan for Southern Blue Whiting is currently being finalized; it sets out the management objectives for the next five years. One objective focuses on the continual support for the fishery achieving and maintaining environmental certification. The southern blue whiting trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Barracouta are caught in coastal waters around mainland New Zealand, The Snares and Chatham Islands, down to about 400 m. The species has been managed under the QMS since 1986. Catches increased significantly in the late 1960s and peaked at about 47 000 tonnes in 1977. Between 1983–84 and 2004–05, catches fluctuated between 18 000 and 28 000 tonnes per annum (annual average about 24 000 tonnes). Landings have increased from the lower level of the early 2000s to 27 000–30 000 tonnes in the last four years.
No robust stock assessments have been developed for any barracouta stock, but a fishery characterization and standardized CPUE analyses were carried out for all barracouta stocks in New Zealand with data up to 2007–08. Barracouta management is based on five QMAs, although only three of them support significant levels of catch. The recent characterization and CPUE analyses did not indicate any alarming trends. However, it was concluded that stock assessment models would be necessary to draw conclusions on stock status appropriately. At least one stock is being reviewed in 2011–12 because of anecdotal reports that barracouta are currently very abundant in the southern parts of the New Zealand EEZ.

Orange roughy inhabit depths from 700 m to at least 1500 m within the New Zealand EEZ. They are slow-growing, long-lived fish, and on the basis of otolith annuli counts and radiometric isotope studies may live up to 120–130 years. Orange roughy are managed under the QMS with the management objective of maintaining stocks at or above a level that will support the MSY (B_MSY). The EEZ is divided into eight orange roughy QMAs. Where more than one discrete orange roughy fishery occurs within a QMA, management subareas have been implemented and separate stock assessments are undertaken for each biological stock. These assessments may result in separate catch limits for each stock.
Stock management is based on the best available independent science. Stock assessment reviews are undertaken every two to three years by New Zealand scientists, often in collaboration with international scientists from the United States of America, Canada and Australia. The stock assessment process is public, transparent and subject to peer review. The Ministry of Fisheries publishes the outcomes of stock assessments annually, and summaries are available on its Web site (see above).
Commercial orange roughy fishing began in New Zealand on the Chatham Rise in the late 1970s – early 1980s, whereas the fisheries in other parts of the New Zealand EEZ typically started in the mid-1980s. Catches peaked in the late 1980s and have decreased since, largely in response to reductions in catch limits as the biomass of the various stocks has been fished down to target levels. More than 9 000 tonnes of orange roughy were landed from the New Zealand EEZ in the 2009–2010 fishing year. The most important fishery is on the east and south Chatham Rise (MinFish, 2010).
In earlier years, the productivity (growth and regeneration rates) of orange roughy was overestimated, leading to some New Zealand orange roughy fisheries being fished to levels below B_MSY. As a result, two fisheries were closed to fishing (in 2000 and 2003) to allow rebuilding at the maximum rate. One of these fisheries has since reopened to fishing after the stock was considered to have rebuilt to a sufficient level to allow limited fishing to recommence. The remaining orange roughy fisheries are deemed to be below B_MSY, or their status is not known. Conservative catch rates have been implemented to promote the rebuilding of these stocks in the medium term while maintaining commercial fisheries.

There are three species of oreo fished within the New Zealand EEZ: smooth oreo, black oreo and spiky oreo. All three species are managed under the QMS with quota allocated as a combined oreo assemblage. Target fisheries exist for black and smooth oreo in quota management areas. Spiky oreo is taken as a bycatch in these fisheries and all three species are taken as bycatch in the target orange roughy fishery (MinFish, 2010).
Oreo are found predominantly in southern latitudes of the EEZ from the south Chatham Rise to the sub-Antarctic. They are found at depths from 600 to 1 500 m with younger fish typically found towards the shallower end of this depth range. Oreo are long-lived and slow-growing species. Black oreo may reach a maximum size of 45 cm and live for up to 150 years, and smooth oreo may reach a maximum size of 51 cm at an age of 86 years. Spawning for both species occurs from late October to at least December, with an average length at maturity of 34 and 41 cm for black and smooth oreo, respectively.
The annual catch limit for oreos was set at 18 850 tonnes in 2009–2010. Recorded catch was 16 791 tonnes in 2009–2010, down from a peak of 24 799 tonnes in 1996–1997. Smooth and black oreo are divided up into four different management areas. Seven of the eight oreo fisheries have been assessed. Five of the assessments are on smooth oreo and two on black oreo. Two of the eight stocks were estimated to be probably overfished, five at or near the management target of 40 percent B0, and one stock was not assessed (MinFish, 2011c), based on FAO criteria.