Studies on the barracouta Thyrsites atun (Euphrasen) in eastern Cook Strait region of New Zealand

Abstract

More than 60% of the total catch of marine food-fishes in New Zealand depends on only 3 species - snapper, tarakahi and gurnard, though more than 40 species are listed in the New Zealand fisheries reports as being caught in commercial quantities. It is common knowledge that large quantities of other species, such as red-cod, trevalli, kahawai, and mackerel have been dumped back into the sea over the years, due to limited demands on local markets and almost no development of an overseas market. One of these "lesser-favoured" fish is the pelagic species, barracouta (Thyrsites atun, Euphrasen) which is abundant in New Zealand waters, particularly around the South Island. Although barracouta has little commercial value in New Zealand it is important commercially in South Africa, and to a lesser extent in Australia. In South Africa, approximately 10,000 tons of barracouta (snoek) are landed annually, with a total value estimated at R2,000,000. Snoek are mostly dried, cured, or smoked, and some are eaten fresh, but hardly any are canned (pers.comm. South African Dept. of Commerce & Industries).