The beach database contains data from surveys of beaches which are used to monitor the population size and length structure of selected shellfish species at various beaches within the inter-tidal zone. Traditionally, these surveys have been done for toheroa (Paphies ventricosa), but have also included cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi), large wedge shells (Macomona liliana), pipi (Paphies australis), tuatua (Paphies subtriangulata) and sea lettuce (Ulva). Sampling protocol. Predominately, beaches are sampled with transect lines, with samples dug from quadrats along the transect line, and the beach material sieved for shellfish. Sampled data are from 1969. Data collection is ongoing. Sampling frequency: variable. Lat/Long provided for some data. Sampling sites range from Ninety Mile Beach in the north to Te Waewae Bay in the south, including the Bay of Plenty. Sampling methods: core, quadrat, transect

Data collated from the non-fish incidental catch forms that vessel masters are required to fill out. These data provide some information to MPI on the level of incidental bycatch of certain species - as reported by vessels whether they have an observer on or not. Sampling frequency: variable. Database records started in December 1996 and continue to November 2008. Number of sites: variable. Extent of site: entire EEZ and beyond. Lat/Long provided for all data. Number of replicates: N/A. Measured variables: non-fish incidental catch forms include fishing method, target species, date, time, location (Lat/Long), non-fish bycatch species. Sampling protocol & QA: non-fish incidental (seabirds and marine mammals) catch forms completed by vessel masters. The completion of this form is a statutory requirement and is based on the Wildlife Act (1953) and the Marine Mammals Protection Act (1978).

The tuna database contains groomed commercially collected tuna catch effort data from New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. Fishing methods: surface longline, troll, handline, pole and line, and trot line or Dahn line. Sampling frequency: variable. Database records started in 1980 and continue to present. Number of sites: variable. Extent of site: entire EEZ and beyond. Lat/Long provided for all data. Number of replicates: N/A. Measured variables: catch effort data including vessel name, location, catch effort, total catch weight, species caught, fishing method. Sampling protocol & QA: catch return data is required by law from all vessels within NZ EEZ. groomed data.

The ctd database contains conductivity, temperature, and depth readings taken from research trawl surveys. Sampling frequency: variable. The database contains records from 1982 to 1993, and contines again from 2002. Number of sites: variable. Extent of site: entire EEZ and beyond. Lat/Long provided for all data. Number of replicates: N/A. Measured variables: conductivity, temperature, and depth readings taken from research trawl surveys. Sampling protocol & QA: Physical oceanography data collected by Conductivity, Temperature and Depth probe, from depth slices on trawl surveys.

Commercial arrow squid fishery database contains a discrete time series (1989-1994) copy of commercial catch effort data (all methods) from the New Zealand arrow squid fishery. This database is used to calculate biological reference points such as Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) in terms of Current Annual Yield (CAY) and Stock assessment. Fishing methods used: trawl and jigging Sampling frequency: variable. Database records started in 1989 and continue to 1994. Number of sites: variable. Extent of site: entire EEZ, but most records from Tasman Bay. Lat/Long provided for all data. Number of replicates: N/A. Measured variables: Commercial squid fishery catch and effort data, for both commercial species (Nototodarus gouldi & N. sloanii). Data include sea temperature, depth, location, fishing method, fishing vessel, date, catch weight, species, trawl speed, trawl time, location. Sampling protocol & QA: Commercial Arrow squid fishery catch and effort data.

The Rock Lobster Catch Sampling (rlcs-a) database contains catch sampling information on New Zealand rock lobster species (red and packhorse) collected as part of research projects. The rlcs-a database predominantly contains catch sampling data related to rock lobster catch samples, for both rock lobster species. Additionally, it contains morphological measurement data (including some market sampling data). It has been created in response to a need to maintain a time series on biological and CPUE data independent from the industry daily landing logs. Sampling frequency: variable. Database records start in 1969 and continue to present. Number of sites: variable. Extent of site: EEZ coastal area. Number of replicates: N/A. Measured variables: Data are recorded on the Pot Catch Form and include the number of lobsters caught (both dead and alive), pot type, depth, soak time, bait, and an escape gap code. Biological data for individual rock lobsters recorded on the Length Frequency Form, include sex, carapace length, and tail width (across the spines on the second abdominal segment), tail length, weight, injuries, moult and run states, and the red rock lobster status (whether it was landed to a Licensed Fish Receiver (LFR)). Capture method: lobster pot Sampling protocol & QA: The rlcs database enforces data validation and integrity with use of referential constraints and range checks. The data go through a rigorous data validation and error checking process before being entered.

The trawl database is the major fisheries research database. It results from data collected by research trawl surveys on research vessels and chartered commercial fishing vessels. This database is maintained by NIWA for MPI. Trawl surveys are a major tool used by research scientists for stock assessment. They are used to estimate basic parameters of commercial fish populations, including biomass, sex ratio, and the proportion of sexually mature fish, and the distribution of ages and lengths in the population. These parameters may be used in estimating mortality and growth rates. Sampling frequency: variable. Database records start in 1960 and continue to present. Number of sites: variable. Extent of site: entire EEZ and beyond. Lat/Long provided for all data. Number of replicates: N/A. Measured variables: Data include sea temperature, depth, location, fishing vessel, date, catch weight, species, trawl speed, trawl time, weight of each fish species caught, and length, sex and age data for selected species. Sampling protocol & QA: inshore and deepwater research trawl surveys conducted in New Zealand waters. In addition to the trawl information other information collected during trawl surveys are also included in the database e.g. camera deployments, CTD probes, plankton, physical measurements, blue cod potting. Depth range: 2 to 3500 m.

The Centralised Observer Database (cod) incorporates all the data previously held in three Empress databases, namely the Observer, Observer Length Frequency and Observer surface longline databases. In addition cod includes a copy of the observer collected data from the Age database for otoliths collected and catalogued. The Scientific Observer Programme (SOP) was created in 1986 to send observers, contracted to the then MAF Fisheries, to monitor the catches of commercial trawlers. The cod database is the major source of length frequency data from commercial fishing operations, and so plays a major role in the stock assessment process. Currently the cod database holds information for over 100 species, with the major species including hoki, southern blue whiting, orange roughy, scampi, oreos, ling, jack mackerels, hake, barracouta, and silver warehou. The New Zealand arrow squid data collected by scientific observers on both squid trawlers and jiggers, originally held in the squid, then obs_lfs database, is also stored in the cod database. The biological data consists mostly of southern arrow squid, Nototodarus sloanii, and a lesser amount of N. gouldi. Data recorded on the non-fish bycatch form have been incorporated within the cod database. Species that have been recorded and entered into the database include bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, dusky dolphin, New Zealand fur seal, Hooker’s sea lion, leopard seal and a range of seabirds. Number of sites: variable. Extent of site: entire EEZ and beyond. Lat/Long provided for all data. Number of replicates: N/A. Measured variables: The cod database, contains the catch and effort information for observed commercial fishing vessels, ageing materials, length frequency and biological data for commercial species as measured by the observers, as well as relevant trip and tow information. Sampling protocol & QA: bottom long line data, purse seine and troll, plus set net observer data. Currently, otoliths represent the primary source of ageing material in marine research. The Observer Programme provides otoliths from catch sampling, principally for hoki, southern blue whiting, hake, and orange roughy. Additional high priority species include gemfish, ling, stargazers, red cod, jack mackerels, and silver warehou. Many other middle depth species are also sampled to a lesser extent. Data for the following fishing methods are included in this database: bottom longline, surface longline, purse seine, troll,set net, and all trawl methods. Quality assurance is imposed on the methods and data collection.