All Species

Orange roughy

Latin Name: Hoplostethus atlanticus

Weight: 0.8–1.6kg (up to 3.5kg)

Length: 30–40cm

Family: Trachichthyidae

  • Wild Caught
  • Farmed

Location

Orange roughy are found in deep offshore waters around New Zealand.

  • Key fishing areas include:
    • Chatham Rise
    • Challenger Plateau
    • Waters off the east coast of the North and South Islands​
  • Typically found at depths of 750–1200 metres​

They live close to the seabed and are primarily harvested by bottom trawling.​​

Sustainability

Orange roughy is managed under New Zealand’s Fisheries Act and the Quota Management System (QMS), which sets limits on how much fish can be caught to ensure long-term sustainability. ​​

This system is supported by ongoing scientific research, monitoring, and regular reviews of catch limits.

MSC Certification

Selected New Zealand orange roughy fisheries (ORH 3B North West Chatham Rise and ORH 7A) are certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.​

  • First certified in 2016, these fisheries continue to meet MSC sustainability requirements through regular independent audits. ​​
  • Other orange roughy stocks are currently undergoing assessment or improvement processes as part of ongoing certification efforts.​

Learn more about certification and access audit reports on our Third Party Certification page.

Fishing Methods

Fishing Methods

Trawl Trawl

Fishing Season

  • JAN

  • FEB

  • MAR

  • APR

  • MAY

  • JUN

  • JUL

  • AUG

  • SEP

  • OCT

  • NOV

  • DEC

Peak Season
Off Season

Nutrition

Source: Biotin (vitamin B7), Folate, Vitamin B12, Iodine, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium

Good Source: Niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin A, vitamin D, Selenium, Omega-3 fatty acids

Seafood is a highly nutritious food and is a great source of protein. Many species are low in saturated fat and a number of them are a good source of Omega 3.

Did you know?

Orange roughy are slow-growing, long-lived fish belonging to the Trachichthyidae family (roughies). There is strong evidence that orange roughy may live as long as 130 years.

Orange roughy species were originally called ‘slimeheads’. They got a name change to ‘orange roughy’ in the 1970s to make them more appealing to consumers.

Cooking Tips

A mild flavour and soft, moist white flesh make orange roughy a popular choice. Moderate oil content keeps orange roughy succulent and helps it hold together well in most cooking methods. Use skinned fillets only. Try it:

  • baked
  • sautéed
  • poached
  • steamed
  • barbecued
  • smoked
  • in a soup/chowder

Orange roughy Recipes

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