What is a Hoki?
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Hoki is a type of fish in the hake family, found off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia. The fish are known by a number of other names, including blue grenadiers, blue hake, whiptails, whiptail hake, and New Zealand whiting. The fish have dense white flesh which is rich in omega-3 acids, making it a good dietary choice. Studies on the hoki fishery have also suggested that the fish are a reasonably environmentally sustainable choice, for consumers who are concerned about fishery management.
The fish tend to live in the middle depths of the water, and they feed on small crustaceans. Larger fish species as well as humans find hoki quite acceptable food, but the fish reproduce in large numbers, so the population stays relatively stable. Hoki fish also mature very rapidly, growing to a size of up to 47 inches (120 centimeters). These factors were considered when the hoki fishery was evaluated for sustainability, along with other issues like fishing techniques and accepted practices on fishing boats.
In appearance, the fish have long wedge shaped bodies which become narrower at the tail, with slim fins and a blue-green to silver color pattern. Their eyes are quite large, and the fish also have the classic protruding jaw associated with many hake and cod. The large eyes make the fish appear perpetually startled, and they are probably quite useful in the murky waters that the fish favor. Should you care to address a hoki formally, the scientific name for the fish is Macruronus novazelandiae.
In New Zealand, hoki comprise the largest commercial fish species. Because of the high volume of catch, the fishery is closely monitored to ensure that the fish are not being excessively exploited. Although the fish population appears to be stable, some concerns have been raised about bycatch and dumping related to the hoki industry. By aggressively managing the fishery, the New Zealand government hopes to keep hoki sustainable and economically viable.
Most typically, hoki is available frozen, as the fish does not keep well otherwise. The fish can be used in cooking just like hake or cod would be. The dense flesh holds up very well to saute and grilling, and the fish may also be baked or steamed. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, and the fish pair well with a wide assortment of sauces and vegetables.
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27
Listening to this about bible, kosher, skin, scales etc. is another reason to be an atheist! - anon46426
24
Hoki is *not* kosher.
- kfish
23
Is it a kosher fish or not? please say yes or no. - anon44977
22
This is all so stupid. We all have *way* too much time on our hands. - anon44965
21
In the New Covenant of grace, the Bible is far more concerned with how much we eat than what we eat. Physical appetites are an analogy of our ability to control ourselves. If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to control other habits such as those of the mind (lust, covetousness, unrighteous hatred/anger) and unable to keep our mouths from gossip or strife. We are not to let our appetites control us; rather, we are to control them. - anon44939
20
Hoki is Hake and must (Like almost all fish ) be inspected for black parasite infection. Other than that they are checked two times before they are available Yes they are a scaley skin fish but this means they are better eatin'. I help process the McDonalds fish along with millions of pounds of Hoki(Hake/ Whiting) for America in Washinton. They even smell good before they are cooked. HAH - anon44896
19
Scale fish is safer than skin fish because the skin fish was created to be a scavenger to clean the ocean. God is the creator and He knows what's the best for us. If you are the creator of a machine that can be fueled by gasoline, is it okay if others put a diesel or different kind of fuel in it? if its fuel is gasoline then put gasoline, if its fuel is diesel then put diesel. God give us the scale fish not the skin fish. not everything you can eat is food, you can eat rat killer bait but it can cause you to poisoned. - anon44841
18
Well, I am glad to have learned that Hoki reproduce in large numbers *and* mature quickly. If a fishing moratorium were placed on this species, it would be short lived. Unfortunately while the population regenerated (exponentially, mind you) mass fishing for less regenerative species would be required.
With regard to you devout/orthodox religious souls, let me say that while I commend your personal devotion, please refrain from using this forum as a tool to propagate your personal opinion, and yes religion is a personal opinion/belief. I hold my own beliefs, and will not look down on others because they don't *act* according to my *opinion*. - anon44822
16
Is there something wrong with me if I think "skin fish" sounds like a euphemism for something else? - anon44817
15
i think that all you who are worried about skin fish or scale fish -- a fish is a fish. look-- i live in southern louisiana and we eat both skin and scale. we eat red fish that is a scale fish and we eat cat fish that is a skin fish. this is to all of y'all who eat tuna --that is a skin fish -- or salmon or even ling -- they are all skin fish. so y'all need to not worry. you won't get hurt if you eat a skin fish because 90 percent of the fish you eat in restaurants is skin fish. - anon44812
14
If God didn't want us to eat cows, He wouldn't have made them out of steak. If God didn't want us to eat hoki, He wouldn't have made them out of McDonald's Filet-O-Fish! - anon44805
12
No one questions the wisdom of a parent when they tell their children to not touch the hot stove yet we love to doubt the validity of God telling us that somethings are harmful to us and we would be better off going without. There are poisonous mushrooms that look similar to good ones yet the difference is life and death. "Garbage in-garbage out" is universally acknowledged fact in regards to computers, and "you are what you eat" is widely recognized as worthwhile wisdom for humans. Scavengers are the earth's wastebasket and sewer processing plants. I don't eat out of my sewer nor do I eat the animals that eat that stuff either. Cows have like four stomachs while chickens have a gizzard. Some animals have healthier menus and are healthier on the menu while the animals that God has declared "clean" to eat invariably have biological features that aid in their being better for us. God loves us and wants us to be happy; oddly enough He somehow thinks that we'd be happier if we were healthier. What do you think? - anon44795
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Does the fish have scales? - anon44794
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This is the fish McDonalds uses! Yummy! - anon44789
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with respect to anon40377's post, research shows fish with fins and scales are generally safer for humans to eat; scavengers, etc. - not so safe. Many individuals make dietary decisions based on health and other factors - not because they're bound by anything; it's all about choice; and btw, taste is a matter of preference whether kosher or not. - anon44784
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The scaled or scaleless thing is strictly a religious thing imposed on people beliving in a certain religious faith. their loss. What is funny is all your McDonald's filet of fish sandwiches are made with hoki fish, so how many of these religious types have eaten them? - anon44778
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A skin fish should not be eaten because the Lord said so. That's all I have, but it's the most important (to me). He made us so He's the expert. Their meat must be not be able to process any toxic substances it eats. Like a chicken can eat almost anything and will filter it out before it hits the meat, a pig will eat a rat and three hours later you can have it as ribs on your plate. - anon44772
6
Is this fish kosher or not? - anon44771
5
Regarding the "skin fish" thing, I'm guessing anon11975 is concerned whether or not the fish is kosher. If it comes from the water and has fins and scales it's kosher, but if it doesn't have fins and scales it's not. Luckily for those of us not bound by kosher restrictions, non-kosher can still be tasty. - anon40377
4
I had smoked Hoki today for lunch.
It was delicious. I was so intrigued that I Googled Hoki and ended up here.
Why shouldnt skinned fish be eaten? I too am intrigued by the posting. - anon38563
3
You say it is the same as a Blue Grenadier, but the shop where I bought BG last week had a different looking fillet in the next tray, called Hoki. The Hoki was thinner and had smaller "leaves" than the Blue G. - anon36506
2
Why shouldn't skin fish should be eaten? - anon25712
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It is very important to many that what a fish looks like should be stated. In other words, "is it a skin fish?" or does it have scales? (very important to those of us who do not eat skin fish) I believe "HOKI" is a skin fish and thus should not be eaten, but it is not clearly stated whether it is or not. Thank you. - anon11975
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Written by
S.E. Smith
Last Modified: 19 November 2009
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