Blue cod, Kapiti Island

Monitoring blue cod at the Kapiti Island Marine Reserve

Blue cod (Parapercis colias) are important members of reef communities in New Zealand, being targeted by recreational and commercial fishermen, and also being of cultural importance to Maori. These fish are territorial in coastal rocky reef regions and are expected to respond positively and rapidly when protected in "no take" marine reserves. MSc student Carl Struthers is working at two sites inside and two sites outside the Kapiti Island Marine Reserve to determine the most effective methodology for monitoring blue cod size and abundance. He is comparing standard underwater SCUBA transect surveys against baited underwater video surveys against baited hook and line fishing to determine the most accurate and cost-effective method to be employed in monitoring this fish species. This work is jointly funded by the Department of Conservation and Victoria University of Wellington.