Top Hapuku Wreckfish Fishing Countries

The hapuku, also known as wreckfish (Polyprion oxygeneios), is a large, deep-water predatory fish found primarily in temperate marine waters of the Southern Hemisphere. Recognized for its robust body and impressive size—sometimes exceeding 100 kg—hapuku inhabit rocky reefs and underwater structures such as shipwrecks, hence the name "wreckfish." The commercial and recreational fishing of hapuku is most prominent in countries like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, where the species is highly valued for its firm, white flesh and is targeted by both longline and handline fisheries. New Zealand, in particular, has a well-established hapuku fishery, with strict regulations to manage stocks and ensure sustainability. While hapuku are also caught in the North Atlantic (notably the related Polyprion americanus), the Southern Hemisphere nations remain the top producers, supplying both domestic markets and, to a lesser extent, international seafood trade.

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