New Zealand Sole
New Zealand Sole
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General
Location
Only found in New Zealand, they are most abundant around the South Island, in depths of up to 100 metres.
Attributes
Greenish-grey on the upper side, with the underside white. The species is oval shaped with the widest part of the body well forward of the centre. The snout is rounded, the dorsal fin runs from the mouth to the tail, with the anal fin also starting close to the mouth. The scales are rough.
Family
New Zealand sole belong to the Pleuronectidae family (righteye flounders).
Spawning
Sole spawn from July to September, usually in shallow waters.
Sustainability
Flatfish were introduced to the QMS in 1986 as a group, rather than individual species (species-specific catch reporting is now encouraged). The annual catch limit for flatfish has varied from 5,409 to 6,670 tonnes since 1986. Stock abundance of flatfish can vary markedly in response to environmental variation. Accordingly, catch limits may be changed frequently to respond to these fluctuations. Sole are caught throughout the year around the South Island but particularly in Tasman Bay, Pegasus Bay, and off the Otago and Southland coasts, mainly in trawls.
Fishing methods
Sole are caught throughout the year around the South Island but particularly in Tasman Bay, Pegasus Bay, and off the Otago and Southland coasts, mainly in trawls.
