Kahawai

Kahawai  (Arripis trutta)

Kahawai are found around the New Zealand coast and are often sighted close to shore, frequently schooling by size.  The main fishing grounds are around the North Island, in Cook Strait and north of Kaikoura in the South Island.  Commercially, most Kahawai are caught by purse seine year-round, but are often targeted in the winter when the Skipjack Tuna have moved north. 

They have a greenish-blue body above, sometimes shading to dark blue or purple, with irregular dark markings and spots, and shading to silver-white below. 

Kahawai fillets have medium to thick flakes.  They have a high oil content and high Omega-3 levels.

Quota in New Zealand (tonnes/annum)

Nutritional Information