11. Subantarctic
Map ID Number: 11
Location: Campbell Plateau and associated islands
Approximate area: 451,862km2
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 applied:
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).