hakes

Hake serves as a collective common name for several large, elongated, predatory fish in the genus Merluccius. They are demersal gadiform fishes in the family Merlucciidae, found in temperate and subtemperate oceans around the world. The best-known species include European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi), North Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), and Cape hake (Merluccius capensis). Hakes are typically silver-sided with a streamlined body and a wide distribution across continental shelf and slope environments.

Distribution and habitat vary by species but generally encompass temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and adjacent southern oceans. They prefer demersal zones, often on soft, sandy or rocky bottoms, at depths ranging from shallow coastal areas to several hundred meters. Hakes are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on smaller fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.

Biology and reproduction differ among species, but common traits include slow to moderate growth, late maturity relative to some other fishes, and seasonal spawning periods. Eggs are buoyant, and larvae are planktonic before settling to demersal habitats. Lifespans can extend over a decade in some species, with age and size influenced by environmental conditions and fishing pressure.

Fisheries and management: Hakes are important commercially, harvested mainly by trawling and, in some regions, longlining. Markets value hake for its white, firm flesh. Because overfishing has affected several stocks, many hake populations are managed through quotas, seasonal closures, and bycatch controls, with ongoing stock assessments guiding harvest limits.

Conservation status varies by stock and region; several populations have recovered under management, while others remain subject to concern or monitoring.