Download FAR 2026/02 Stock assessment of hake (Merluccius australis) in the Sub-Antarctic (HAK 1) for the 2023–24 fishing year

This report summarises the stock assessment of hake in the Sub-Antarctic in HAK 1 for the 2023–24 fishing year. The main index of abundance was the summer Sub-Antarctic trawl survey. Initial spawning stock biomass was estimated as 72 600 t (95% credible intervals 60 200–93 800 t) with current status of 65% B0 (95% credible intervals 52–79% B0). Three-year projections showed that biomass is expected to either stay the same or decrease slightly over the next three years under assumptions of both current catch and a catch equal to the HAK 1 TACC and recent recruitment. With long term average recruitment, the status is expected to increase under both catch scenarios.