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Subantarctic
Map ID number:
11
Location: Campbell Plateau
and associated islands
Approximate area: 451,862km 2
Description of area:
Large plateau punctuated with extremely
exposed rocky islands, some of which have
sheltered bays and harbours.
Biological attributes:
There are few endemic fish species, but
they represent a high proportion of the
fauna overall. The area has low species
diversity and abundance, but hosts a unique
assemblage of reef fish species. Mesopelagic
species such as southern blue whiting
(Micromesistius australis) are abundant over
the whole Campbell Plateau, and basking
sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) and arrow
squid (Nototodarus spp.) are abundant in
aggregations on the western edge. The area
is isolated from mainland New Zealand
waters by the subtropical convergence zone.
Criteria for inclusion:
Endemism; representation (i.e. across
physical types); extremities of range and
adaptation to environment; seasonal/
migratory importance; unusual degree/
proportion of biomass; aggregations; special
phylogenetic grouping; habitat complexity/
diversity; meeting ground – overlap between
biological regions (at national and global
regions level).
Status and management:
There are extensive fisheries for squid,
southern blue whiting, and other species.
A 12-nautical mile marine reserve around
the Auckland Islands protects shallow
inshore areas and also deep ocean environments
down to 3000m deep. It encompasses
an area of approximately 4,840km 2 .
State of information:
The biological attributes are poorly known,
although the southern blue whiting stock has
been well studied.
References and further reading:
Anderson et al. (1998), Francis (1996),
Francis and Duffy (2002), Kingsford et al.
(1989), Hurst et al. (2000a, 2000b).
Southern blue whiting
©NIWA
Chatham Rise
Map ID number:
12
Location: East of South Island
Approximate area: 261,904km 2
Description of area:
Long submarine ridge connecting the South
Island and Chatham Islands.
Biological attributes:
The Chatham Rise is a highly productive
area, which results in high abundance of
many species, especially hoki (Macruronus
novaezelandiae), orange roughy
(Hoplostethus atlanticus), and oreos (Oreosomatidae).
The northern and eastern margins
of the rise are diversity hotspots. There
is a strong north-south gradient in fish abundance
across the rise. Some species occur
only on northern and eastern margins, while
some are only found on the southern margin.
Criteria for inclusion:
Species diversity; species richness; trophic/
functional diversity; representation
(i.e. across physical types);
degree of disturbance; species
with a global distribution but
New Zealand is a stronghold/
significant; seasonal/migratory
importance; unusual degree/
proportion of biomass; aggregations;
meeting ground – overlap
between biological regions (at national and
global regions level).
Status and management:
The Chatham Rise is one of the most heavily
trawled parts of the New Zealand Exclusive
Economic Zone.
State of information:
The fish fauna has been intensively studied
by research trawl surveys
References and further reading:
Anderson et al. (1998), Bull et al. (2001),
Hurst et al. (2000a, 2000b), Livingston et al.
(2003), O’Driscoll et al. (2003).
Orange Roughy
©NIWA
40 ■ BIODIVERSITY – NEW ZEALAND’S MARINE ECOREGION