Top Southern Hake Fishing Countries

The Southern hake (Merluccius australis) is a demersal fish species found primarily in the temperate waters of the southern hemisphere, notably off the coasts of southern South America and New Zealand. Valued for its mild, flaky flesh, southern hake supports important commercial fisheries. The top countries harvesting southern hake are Argentina and Chile, which fish the Patagonian shelf and adjacent waters, and New Zealand, which targets the species around its southern islands. These nations have developed robust fishing industries around southern hake, employing both trawl and longline methods, and export significant quantities to international markets. Fisheries management in these countries includes quotas and seasonal closures to ensure the sustainability of southern hake stocks, reflecting the species’ economic and ecological importance.

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