The distribution of Deep-water Merluccius paradoxus and shallow-water Merluccius capensis Cape hakes overlap along the continental shelf and upper slope of South Africa; both species occupy different depths but coincide between 150 and 300m (Lloyd’s Register 2021)(Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) 2023)

In South African waters M. paradoxus is currently treated as a single stock for assessment purposes. However, it is assumed that the M.paradoxus stock is shared with Namibia (Lloyd’s Register 2021)(Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) 2023)