| Callorhinchidae (Plownose chimaeras) |
| 125 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 227 m, oceanodromous |
| Southwest Pacific: southern Australia and New Zealand. |
|
|
| Occurs on continental shelves to depths of at least 200 m (Ref. 6871). Migrates into large estuaries and inshore bays in the spring to breed (Ref. 6871). Feeds mainly on shellfish (Ref. 26346). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs are encased in horny shells (Ref. 205). Flesh is of good eating quality. Males have a small, club-like protuberance on the head and also long copulation organs near the pelvic fins (Ref. 557). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 April 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
Occurs around the South Island, most common near Banks Peninsula, in 20-200 m (Ref. 9258). From Eastern Bay of Plenty to Snares shelf, possibly to Kaipara Harbour (Ref. 89422). Fished commercially during the spring-summer inshore migration (Ref. 26346). Annual catch sometimes approaches 1,000 tons with substantial quantity exported to Australia (Ref. 9072). The fishery is predominantly an incidental by-catch of other target fisheries (Ref. 9072). May be sold as fish and chips (Ref. 26346). Voucher specimen(s) held at the NMNZ (Ref. 5755). Also Ref. 6871, 27363, 58461, 75154. |
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