Hoki

Hoki is New Zealand's most important commercial fish species and we take pride in the fact that our stocks are among the best managed in the world.

The Marine Stewardship Council Eco-label assures you that our Hoki reflects sustainable fishing at its finest. It means that our fish stocks are healthy, we don't damage the Eco-system and there is ongoing effective management of Hoki fisheries.

The Hoki fishery operates in four main regions around New Zealand’s south island: on the Chatham Rise, Campbell Plateau, along the West Coast and in the Cook Strait.

The premium fillet of Hoki is highly regarded for its versatility and is often used for further processing into a diverse range of customer products. Hoki is in high demand around the world and is available in a variety of forms.

Family

Hoki belong to the Merlucciidae family and are related to hake.

Physical attributes

Dark purple-blue along the back, shading to paler iridescent blue on the upper side and mirror-like silver below. The fins are dark grey. Hoki have a long tapered body. The eyes and jaws are large.

Hoki flesh is delicate and succulent, it has no pin bones and flakes easily when cooked.

Sustainability

Hoki has been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the global gold standard for sustainability, since March 2001. It was re-certified in October 2007, August 2012 and again in 2016.

Hoki is also managed by the Ministry for Primary Industries using the New Zealand Quota Management System (QMS). Hoki are managed as two separate stocks, an eastern and a western stock. The two biological stocks of Hoki are subject to extensive scientific monitoring, with up to 3 research surveys completed every year and an annual stock assessment.

Geographical location

Hoki lives mainly in the middle water at depths from 300-900 metres and can be caught all around New Zealand.

Market Names

• New Zealand: Hoki, Blue Grenadier, Blue Hake, Whiptail
• Spain: Merluza Azul
• Australia: Hoki, Blue Grenadier
• Italy: Nasello Azzurro
• Germany: Langschwanz-Seehecht
• European Union: Blue Grenadier
• Commonwealth of Independent States: Novozelandskiy macruronus

Locations Caught