As the southern hemisphere’s winter rolls on, New Zealand’s hoki fishery hits its peak. While widely regarded by Kiwis and others as sustainable, the hoki fishery has been the target of criticism as fish populations plunged over the course of the past decade.
But the fishery has largely recovered, and managers felt confident enough in late June to suggest that the quota for the 2011-12 fishing season will increase from the current level of 120,000 metric tons. Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley pointed to poor recruitment classes of fish — between 2003 and 2006 — as chief factors in the harvest’s decline. He now says the stock is rebuilt. A final quota decision is due in the early fall, possibly by October.
The whip-tailed hoki (Macruronusnovaezelandiae), also known in parts of the world as blue grenadier or blue hake, became the world’s first major whitefish fishery to gain Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainability and responsible management in 2001; it was recertified in 2007, despite severe cutbacks in production. Quotas were reduced from a high of 250,000 metric tons in 2001 to just 89,000 metric tons in 2008.
One U.S. hoki importer is confident that the next season’s quota will be up “significantly” in light of recent data. Interest in the species is also on the upswing.
“Demand is picking up substantially,” said the importer. “It still tends to be a value proposition, with [Alaska] pollock and cod. The price probably sits about 20 percent above pollock and 40 percent below cod.”
The fish has remained a major earner for New Zealand’s seafood industry, despite the reduced yield. Hoki generated NZD 172 million (USD 143 million) in exports for New Zealand in 2010; the 2008 market value for the species was NZD 730 million (USD 607 million). Much of the haul is exported to China for processing and re-export to European markets and the United States. Nearly all of it is frozen product sold via retail channels.
Twice-frozen hoki shatterpacks have remained steady in the USD 2-a-pound range for the past year or so; the price of frozen hoki peaked at about USD 2.35 a couple of years ago.
Demand for hoki blocks is strong in Europe, said the importer, and he sees the future for hoki in the United States as “bright.” But Australia, in close proximity to the main fishing grounds, is the top global market for fresh product. Fresh hoki loins into Australia are currently at about USD 2.50 a pound.
