Yellowtail kingfish is a popular fish in New-Zealand, for both professional and recreational fishermen. Catches are being monitored, but the size of the stock is unknown.
The handline fishery is very selective with little bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). and no discardsDiscards:
Unwanted by-catch, which is thrown back because there is no quota, the market price is too low, or the fish is below the legal minimum landing size. Discards can be alive or dead.. For this fishery baitfish are caught. The long-term consequences of catching baitfish are unclear but probably minimal. The fishery does no damage to vulnerable [habitats].
The management of this fishery in New-Zealand waters is partially effective.