Chilean hoki

1. What is it?

Chilean Hoki ( Macruronus magellanicus) are bottom-dwelling, schooling, fish found on the outer part of the continental shelf. Chilean Hoki have slow growth rates making them highly vulnerable to overfishing. The stock is currently rated as overexploited and with overfishing taking place. Stock levels are estimated to be below 15% of their original stock level.

2. How was it caught or farmed?

Chilean Hoki are caught in a mixed fishery alongside southern blue whiting and southern hake using demersal otter trawls, which deploy nets that are dragged along the sea bed at different depths. Trawling is not a very selective fishing method and a number of other species are often caught in the nets (fish, sharks and rays). There is insufficient information available regarding the impact on birds and other endangered, threatened or protected species (ETP). This type of trawling is known to damage the seabed; although the extent and impact of damage remains unknown.

3. Where is it from?

Chilean hoki are fished along the EEZ of Chile (FAO 87) and imported into South Africa. Management in this fishery is considered to be marginally effective due to the lack of data for stock assessments as well as insufficient monitoring of impacts to threatened species and a comprehensive plan to manage these impacts. Although there are management systems in place, reported landings have exceeded scientific advice and under-reporting is fairly high with poor levels of compliance.