Deep sea fish of New Zealand
These fish live beyond the inshore reefs, along the edge of the continental shelf and in the middle depths below it. Most are found deeper than 200 m, and orange roughy live down to about 1500 m. Most are commercial catches you'll meet as fillets at the fish shop. A few, such as bluenose and ling, are taken by recreational fishers deep dropping over offshore reefs.
Questions
Can you catch deep sea fish recreationally?
Some. Bluenose and ling are caught by deep dropping over offshore reefs and drop-offs, usually with braid and an electric reel. Orange roughy, black oreo and hoki live too deep for normal recreational gear and are commercial catches. See bluenose.
Which New Zealand fish lives deepest?
Of the fish in this guide, orange roughy and black oreo live deepest, mostly between about 600 and 1500 m. See orange roughy.