Occurrence of hoki(Macruronus novaezelandiae)eggs and larvae in eastern Cook Strait

Abstract

Abstract The presence of planktonic eggs and larvae of hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) in the Cook Strait region is recorded for the first time. Maximum hoki egg density found in samples collected from Cook Strait in September 1986 was 6813 per 100 m3. This is higher than egg densities recorded from the west coast South Island hoki spawning area. Most (95%) of the eggs were 1.5–3.0 days old. Maximum density of hoki larvae was 474 per 100 m3, with greatest recorded abundance in the 20–40 m depth range. Most of the larvae were over 5 days old. Depth and current considerations suggest that the seafloor canyons in eastern Cook Strait (Nicholson, Wairarapa, and Cook Strait Canyons) are likely spawning areas. The possibility that spawning of hoki in Cook Strait has occurred previously is discussed.