Kahawai, flounder, groper, blue cod, tarakihi – many fish are caught by recreational anglers and commercial boats close to the coast. Hundreds of other species also frequent this varied habitat, including the seahorse, the neon pink maomao of the north, and the southern telescope fish.
Coastal species
Many species are widespread around the coastal waters of both main islands. Coastal waters can be defined as the stretch of water up to the edge of the continental shelf. Included are estuaries, sandy shores, rocky coastlines, offshore reefs and the continental shelf.
Northern and southern
Around 15% of coastal fish prefer the warmer waters of the far north, reaching southern limits between East Cape and Cook Strait. A small proportion are tropical wanderers that show up during summer.
Distinctly southern species (8% of all coastal fish), which prefer cooler waters, reach their northern limits between Banks Peninsula and Cook Strait.
The remaining 77% of coastal fish are found in both southern and northern waters.
Fish
