Latin Name: Allocyttus niger
Weight: 0.5–1kg (up to 2kg)
Length: 30–40cm
Family: Oreosomatidae family (oreos).
- Wild Caught
- Farmed
Location
Black oreo is one of several oreo species found in New Zealand waters, alongside smooth, spiky and warty oreo.
It is sometimes marketed as “black dory”, although it is not a true dory.
Black oreo are found in deep offshore waters of the Southern Hemisphere.
- Typically found at depths of 600–1200 metres
- Key fishing areas in New Zealand include:
- Chatham Rise (southern areas)
- East coast of the South Island
- Campbell Plateau
They form schools near underwater features such as pinnacles and feed on crustaceans, fish and squid.
Sustainability
Black oreo is managed under New Zealand’s Fisheries Act and the Quota Management System (QMS).
Oreo species are managed together as a single fishery group (OEO), with stock assessments undertaken by species and fishing area.
Fishery Overview
Black oreo is part of New Zealand’s deepwater trawl fishery.
- Caught as part of the wider oreo fishery (OEO)
- Fisheries operate across several management areas, including:
- OEO 1
- OEO 3A
- OEO 4
- OEO 6
Science indicates that oreo catch limits and catches are sustainable across major fishing grounds.
Black oreo is one of four oreo species managed within New Zealand’s Oreos fishery .
Fishing Methods
Trawl
Fishing Season
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JAN
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FEB
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MAR
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APR
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MAY
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JUN
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JUL
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AUG
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SEP
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OCT
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NOV
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DEC
Nutrition
Source: Biotin (vitamin B7, vitamin B12, Iodine, Phosphorus, Potassium
Good Source: Niacin (vitamin B3), 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?
Black oreos are slow-growing and long-lived, and are thought to live for over 100 years, making them one of the longest‑lived fish species.
Cooking Tips
Black oreo has firm and white small fillets that do not flake easily and hold together on cooking. It is suitable for ;
- baking
- frying
- marinating
- poaching
- raw/sashimi
