Fisheries New Zealand undertakes scientific stock assessments throughout the year for various fish stocks. Depending on what this shows, Fisheries NZ prioritises what fish stocks need to be reviewed and proposes various actions the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries may want to take to ensure sustainability.

For example, If the assessment shows that abundance is looking good, Fisheries NZ may recommend that the Minister should increase commercial catch limits or the recreational daily bag limit. On the other hand, if populations aren’t doing well, they could recommend that catch limits are decreased.