Several research studies have been conducted on the stock structure of South Pacific hake. One study (Payá et al. 1997), using morphological characteristics, genetics, parasitology and latitudinal comparisons about the average length of sexual maturity, identified a unique stock in Chile. One other study (Galleguillos et al. 2000), supported this conclusion by analysing polymorphic loci of distinct localities off the Chilean coast.

On other hand, (George-Nascimento 1996) and (Oliva and Ballón 2002), in turn, consider the existence of two stocks according to the morphology and parasitology of the species in Puerto Montt and Coquimbo, results strengthen by (Espínola-Novelo and Oliva 2021). Also, (Vidal et al. 2012), using mitochondrial DNA presented a division into three genetic stocks: Perú, Valparaíso-Coquimbo and Corral. More recently two distinct populations are suggested to be present in the southern Chilean Magallanes region based on parasitofauna found in this species (González-Poblete et al. 2022).

The Chilean Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), applying length composition and relative abundance data, corroborate the scenario that considers that mixing of the individuals is enough to assume a unique stock to assess all fishery management units for the following regions: Coquimbo, Valparaíso, O'Higgins, Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, Araucanía and Los Ríos (Tascheri et al. 2013).