In 1993 the regulation to prohibit certain reef fish from being kept and sold by commercial fishers was introduced to reduce the risk of depleting these vulnerable species. These specific reef fish species are considered more vulnerable to depletion as they are often slow-growing and long-lived. Since 1993 Fisheries NZ has done little to determine the population size or reproductive potential of these species. We do know they are more vulnerable because they have fewer offspring and use the reef as shelter against larger predators, including humans.