Download FAR 2026/21 Catch-at-age estimates for hoki from commercial fisheries in 2024 – 25 and a trawl survey in 2026

This report updates ongoing time series with catch-at-age data for hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) from commercial fisheries caught in the 2024–25 fishing year and a research trawl survey in January 2026. Catch-at-age estimates are based on biological data and otoliths (ear bones used for ageing fish) sampled by observers and survey staff. The sampled length frequencies are scaled to total catch or survey biomass to form representative estimates of catch-at-age.

The overall hoki catch in the 2024–25 fishing year was higher than the catch in 2023–24. Catch increased on Chatham Rise, in Cook Strait, and off the west coast South Island, but decreased off the east coast South Island and in the Sub-Antarctic. Most of the catch in 2024–25 was of hoki 45–90 cm in length from the 2007–23 year-classes. The most recent (2020–2023) year-classes appear to be lower than average in the commercial fishery. However, the abundance estimate for the 2024 year-class at age 1+ in the January 2026 Chatham Rise survey was the highest estimate in the time-series.