What is the top harvested baitfish species in New Zealand?

June 26, 2025
Baitfish

Jack mackerel (JMA) makes up the highest proportion of all baitfish caught in New Zealand. In the 2023-24 fishing year more than 44,000 tonnes (40 million kilos) of jack mackerel were caught in New Zealand.

Source – Fisheries New Zealand, Fisheries Assessment Plenary. May 2024. Page 653