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Approved Fish Names List

Scientific, New Zealand Common, Maori, and Foreign Common Names of New Zealand Commercial Fish Species

February 2008

Introduction

The following tables list the approved names of New Zealand commercial fish species for the purposes of labelling for export. The table includes all those species listed in the current version of the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Human Consumption) Notice, also known as the Human Consumption Specifications. The New Zealand and scientific names on this list will be updated whenever the Human Consumption Specifications list is updated. Foreign Names will be updated as and when NZFSA accepts the legitimacy of new foreign names submitted for consideration.

The naming of fish presents various challenges. Within one country, there can be many common names for the same fish species, often differentiated regionally, and New Zealand is no exception. In addition there are Maori names, which also differ regionally; they are important to Maori and many of them have entered into general usage (e.g. tarakihi, moki).

There are added difficulties when trying to compare common names with those of other English-speaking countries. While sometimes the same species will have the same name, just as often the names will differ, or the same name will refer to quite a different species.

Scientific names, which were developed to overcome these problems, have their own shortcomings. Scientific progress in clarifying the relationship of species regularly changes these names; they generally become more correct. But such changes naturally inhibit the development of a straightforward and permanent list of standardised names to which a variety of non-scientific users can refer.

The best that can be achieved is a series of lists, issued at moderately regular but not too frequent intervals, which progressively expand, clarify and update previous lists of fish names. This is the latest list for New Zealand commercial or potentially commercial fishes. It is particularly intended as a guide for New Zealand fish exporters.

Frequently overseas names refer either to a different but similar species, or to a group of related species. In such cases it may be advisable to add “New Zealand”, “…of New Zealand”, “southern” or even “Australasian” (some of our species have an Australasian distribution) in the appropriate language. In some cases the approved foreign name already has this element included.

Most of the foreign names have been taken from the ‘New Zealand Fishing Industry Agreed Implementation Standards - Authorised Fish Names Circular’, which was issued under the [now repealed] Fish Export Processing Regulations 1995, this in turn used a number of references.

The names given in this table reflect the information available to NZFSA at the time of preparation. NZFSA is prepared to provide guidance but accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy, liability, loss or inconvenience resulting from what is essentially an informed judgment.

Official assurance verifiers and certifiers may accept alternative sources of foreign fish names under conditions to be detailed elsewhere by NZFSA.

Official assurance verifiers and certifiers may accept New Zealand common names for species not contained in the Human Consumption Specifications list, if the species and associated common name appear in the MFish Approved Species Codes on the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries website. The use of such common names is provisional only and is at the operator’s commercial risk. If NZFSA subsequently adds the species to the Human Consumption Specifications list but approves a different common name then any product labelled with a different common name will have to be re-labelled prior to export or sale on the New Zealand market.

The operator must ensure the labelling for a particular fish or fish product is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the importing country. The ultimate responsibility for compliance with an importing country’s requirements is with the exporter. Consignments which are subsequently detained or refused entry remain the responsibility of the exporter.

NZFSA will, however, provide any assistance it can to enable clearance of this product.

Species are listed alphabetically by their most commonly used New Zealand name, and grouped according to type, in the sequence: fin fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods, molluscs, echinoderms.

Authorised for publication by

Mary Western

Assistant Director (Animal Products)

Export Standards

NZFSA