Butterfish

Butterfish are a premium fresh fish, found only along the New Zealand coast.

The main Butterfish fishery is centred on the Cook Strait, between Tasman Bay, Castlepoint and Kaikoura; a smaller fishery is located around Stewart Island. They are seldom found at depths greater than 15 metres.

Butterfish start life and mature as females, with brown to green colouring. As they grow older, they turn into males and become dark blue-black.

Family

Butterfish belong to the Odacidae family (butterfishes).

Physical attributes

The colour of Butterfish varies according to size and sex. The largest fish are dark blue-black when pulled from the water. Juveniles are golden-bronze with broken white stripes on the mid body. Adults are brown to olive green and breeding males are a bright blue with a light blue stripe on the head. Butterfish are also known as Greenbone as their bones have a greenish tinge.

Butterfish have a white, medium texture flesh.

Sustainability

Butterfish is managed by the Ministry for Primary Industries using the New Zealand Quota Management System (QMS). Regular stocks assessment are conducted to estimate fishery stock size and numbers. Scientific studies are also used. From these, scientists can estimate future stock sizes and catch limits.

Geographical location

The main Butterfish fishery is centred on the Cook Strait, between Tasman Bay, Castlepoint and Kaikoura; a smaller fishery is located around Stewart Island. They are seldom found at depths greater than 15 metres.

Market Names

• New Zealand: Butterfish, Greenbone
• Australia: Butterfish
• Japan: Bera-rui

Locations Caught