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Database Title

7.2 Collective Fisheries databases
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 New Zealand EEZ; marine; fisheries
Abstract There are 30 fisheries databases managed by NIWA under contract to the Ministry of Fisheries. A summary description of most of these databases follows with some databases being treated in more detail. The scientific observer databases (l-line; dos-lfs; obs) are addressed collectively as well as individually.
Geographical Coverage New Zealand EEZ, depth to 1500 m.
Dataset start date. 1950s
Dataset end date. Current
Status/currency. In progress
Update frequency. Ongoing as new data becomes available
Maintenance. NIWA

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Parameters- what is measured A variety of biological and physical parameters relating to New Zealand marine fisheries including the following on a species basis:
  • Catch rate
  • Length
  • Weight
  • Sex
  • Reproductive rate
  • Age structure
  • Food
  • Genetic characteristics
  • Aerial sightings

Not all parameters are collected for each species.
Parameters- what is calculated
  • Abundance indices
  • Risk/probabilities of population changes in response to harvesting
Methods used to measure parameters A variety of methods are used in different fisheries:
  • trawl surveys
  • acoustic surveys
  • aerial surveys
  • diving
  • dredging
  • tagging
  • set nets and pots
  • sampling of commercial operations at sea or on shore.
Scale of use. The scale of sampling varies depending on the species and methods, from tens of metres to thousands of km.
Number of records Numerous
GIS compatibility. Yes
Available formats for users. There are a variety of formats depending on the original data set.
Access constraints. This requires permission from the Ministry of Fisheries.
Measurement Accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Completeness of dataset To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Database steward Ministry of Fisheries.
Steward contact person. Kim Duckworth (Research Data Manager)
Database custodian NIWA
Database custodian contact person Don Robertson
Database custodian Contact
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 PO Box 14 901
Kilbirnie
Wellington
+64 4 386 0519
+64 4 386 0572
d.robertson@niwa.cri.nz
References -
Date metadata record prepared. June 2000
Author of metadata record. Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation

  
Original purpose. To provide time series data about harvested fish populations and other impacted species (including bycatch) for management purposes.
Relationships with classification systems. N/A
Relationships with other databases The databases link to the catch effort database (who catches what, where and when) which is managed by the Ministry of Fisheries. The data can be linked to physical databases such as sea surface temperature, ocean current data, climate data, ocean colour.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators. These databases will contribute to the fisheries indicators.
Database uses? The fisheries databases are used by research providers for the Ministry of Fisheries (e.g. NIWA). The Ministry of Fisheries uses interpreted data from the databases.
Public awareness of the database
  • Fairly low amongst the general public.
  • The fishing industry is aware of the databases.
Database strengths.
  • Very comprehensive in space, time and methods
  • Well managed and documented
  • High-quality data
  • Usually in the form of relational databases
Database limitations. Some data sets are the outside the main data management system including:
  • Data collected before the database was set up
  • Data that is in a form that is difficult to put into an electronic database.

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:

  
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline. This can be done for the period of time covered by records.
Assisting with determining current state/baseline. These databases provide the science behind the advice to the Minister of Fisheries on fisheries management.
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes. The databases are used for modeling the population trends for 15-20 fisheries including: lobster, paua, red cod, snapper, whiting, scampi.
Risk assessment. The databases are used to assess risk of significant population changes for most of the large population/high value fisheries species, e.g. lobster, orange roughy.
Monitoring site selection and sample design. The databases are used frequently for this purpose.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally. There is variable scale reporting.