Hapuka (Polyprion oxygeneios), also known as groper in some regions, is a large, deep-water predatory fish found primarily in temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere. Renowned for its firm, white flesh and prized as both a commercial and recreational catch, hapuka inhabit rocky reefs and underwater pinnacles at depths of 100–800 meters. The top hapuka fishing countries are New Zealand and Australia, where the species is most abundant and forms a valuable part of the commercial demersal line fisheries. New Zealand, in particular, manages hapuka stocks through quota systems and strict regulations to ensure sustainability, as the fish is slow-growing and vulnerable to overfishing. Smaller but notable fisheries also exist in South Africa and parts of South America, though these are less significant in scale. The international market for hapuka is niche but lucrative, with exports primarily destined for high-end restaurants and specialty seafood markets.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.