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Profile updated on 30 December 2024
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
IDENTIFICATION
SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)
Merluccius capensis
SPECIES NAME(s)
Shallow-water Cape hake
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).
The relation between this and the neighboring Namibian population is as yet unclear. In South African waters M. capensis is currently treated as a single stock for assessment purposes, but research is ongoing (Lloyd’s Register 2021)(Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) 2023).
ANALYSIS
- Stock status is considered abundant and the fishing pressure is optimal (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) 2023). The stock is estimated to be continuing on an upward trajectory (Ross-Gillespie and Butterworth 2023).
SCORES
Management Quality:
≥ 6
≥ 8
≥ 8
