Blue grenadier (Macruronus novaezelandiae), also known as hoki in New Zealand, is a deep-water species found in the Southern Ocean around Australia and New Zealand. It is one of Australia’s most commercially important fish species and a mainstay of the domestic retail fish market.
The fish is typically found at depths of 200 to 800 metres and can grow to around a metre in length. Its flesh is white, soft-textured, and mild in flavour, which makes it popular with consumers who prefer less assertive-tasting fish. It is commonly sold as fresh or frozen fillets and is a frequent choice for fish and chips.
Blue grenadier is managed as a key commercial species under Australian and New Zealand fisheries management. The fishery has experienced significant stock fluctuations over the decades, with management measures including catch limits and seasonal closures to protect spawning aggregations.
How it's produced
Blue grenadier is exclusively wild-caught. The primary fishery operates in waters south of Australia, particularly off western Tasmania and in the South Tasman Rise, as well as around New Zealand’s South Island.
The fish are caught by midwater trawling, typically targeting spawning aggregations during winter months (June to August in Australian waters). Factory trawlers process the catch at sea, filleting and freezing the fish onboard. The Australian fishery is managed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority with total allowable catches set annually based on stock assessments. The New Zealand hoki fishery has been MSC-certified at various points, though certification status has fluctuated with stock health.
What it costs the planet (per kilo)
* Based on what it takes to produce, from farm to factory gate.
What comes from this
Your household's take
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