Blue Whiting

Latin name: Micromesistius poutassou / Micromesistius australis

Blue whiting refers to one of two species of genus Micromesistius within the Gadidae family. Northern Blue Whiting is referred to poutassou, and is found in the Northern hemisphere, while its twin – australis – is located in the Southern hemisphere. Micromesistius australis is a praised table fish, widely used for filleting and frying. The stocks of the fish are restricted, and over-exploited in many countries (Argentina, Chile, Falkand Islands). Total catch quota comprises around 20000 tones in New Zealand and typically ends up with 50% of allowed catch each year. The main season for the catch is from late August until the end of September. Unlike its southern relative, Northern Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), is one of the most extensive and least concerned stocks of the North Atlantic. Being very small and hard to process, Northern blue whiting is Europe’s most important source of the fishmeal and is essential to the current aquaculture boom. Some lower part of the captured stocks is frozen and exported to Africa and China, where it is dried and processed into shredded snacks.