Fisheries Infosite

Silver Warehou South East (Coast) (SWA3)
Scientific name
Seriolella punctata

Physical characteristics

Silver Warehou are blue-grey on top and silver-white on the underside. They have a small dark blotch on the body behind the head and a coloured point extending from the top of the head back to the dorsal fin. They can grow to a maximum length of 66 cm, though adults average lengths of 40-60 cm.

Life cycle

Silver Warehou have a maximum age of 19-23 years and reach maturity at 4 years old and 45 cm length. Spawning varies with region and large spawning aggregations are formed.

Habitat

Silver Warehou are most common around the South Island. They migrate to feed along the continental slope off the east and southeast coast of the South Island. Juveniles live in shallow water at depths of 150-200 m while mature fish live in waters of depths 200-800 m along the shelf edge.

 
Key statistics
Recreational significance Low
Customary significance Low
Reported commercial catch1 (tonnes)
Quota value estimate2 (NZ$m)
Exports estimate2 (NZ$m)
1 Reported commercial catch is calculated for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025
2 Quota value and exports are calculated pro-rata to reported commercial catch for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025