Top Benguela Hake Fishing Countries

The Benguela hake, primarily comprising two species—*Merluccius capensis* (shallow-water Cape hake) and *Merluccius paradoxus* (deep-water Cape hake)—is a commercially valuable demersal fish found along the southwest African coast, particularly in the nutrient-rich Benguela Current ecosystem. The top countries harvesting Benguela hake are Namibia and South Africa, whose fisheries are among the most important in the region, both economically and for food security. Namibia's hake fishery is a cornerstone of its fishing industry, contributing significantly to national exports and employment, while South Africa also maintains a large, well-managed hake trawl fishery. Both countries have implemented strict management measures, including quotas and monitoring, to ensure the sustainability of hake stocks, given the species' vulnerability to overfishing and environmental changes.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.