NZ RLIC

COUNTING THE BEASTS …. seven years on, industry generated data collection programmes provide greater certainty to rock lobster fishermen and fisheries managers.

In 1993, the New Zealand Fishing Industry Board (NZFIB), in association with the CRA 2 and CRA 8 fishermen, established a voluntary rock lobster logbook programme. Paul Starr (NZFIB) and Paul Breen (NIWA) developed the programme design based on an industry generated data project operating in South Australia.

The rock lobster logbook is the longest running logbook of its kind in New Zealand. Over the past seven years, more than 200 commercial fishermen have provided detailed biological information for more than 400,000 lobsters.

Trophia researchers, Nathan Walker and Nokome Bentley , and NZ RLIC's Daryl Sykes review the “whys, whats, hows and whos” of the rock lobster logbook programme.

Trophia are contracted to the NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council (NZ RLIC) to manage the Rock Lobster Logbook database and the annual analysis and reporting procedures.