The Hoki in the Eastern stock is assessed annually and its stock biomass is above the target level. The fishing intensity is at a rate that is likely to maintain a healthy stock.
The midwater otter trawling harvest method has a high chance of creating interactions with endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species. As the biomass of the stock is high and the fishing pressure is within target it is not likely that the fishery alters the trophic web or the ecosystem's functioning. Negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem are unlikely, and the chances of contact with the seabed for this capture method are low, therefore the fishery is unlikely to create negative impacts on habitats.
Stock management by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is partly effective. There are numerous regulations in place to protect habitats and ecosystems, such as benthic protection areas and annual investigation of benthic trawl impacts. Monitoring of illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, compliance, enforcement, bycatch, and the protection of ETP species all partly effective, while transparency and the stakeholder participation are largely effective.