North Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in the United States. It is found at depths of 0–1000 m.
Scientific name: Merluccius productus · Water: Saltwater, Brackish
Size: up to 83 cm
The North Pacific hake is a merlucciid that inhabits oceanic and coastal areas but is found mainly on the continental shelf, recorded from the surface down to 1,000 m. Although it is often classified as demersal, its distribution and behaviour suggest a largely pelagic existence. Adults live in large schools in waters overlying the continental shelf and slope except during the spawning season, when they are found several hundred miles seaward, and it is a nocturnal feeder on a variety of fishes and invertebrates. It is important prey for sea lions and small cetaceans, and is also preyed upon by dogfish. Its range is the eastern Pacific, from northern Vancouver Island in Canada to the northern part of the Gulf of California; a record from the Gulf of Alaska is doubtful. Maximum length is about 83 cm total length, commonly about 60 cm, and it can live 16 years, maturing at about 37 cm. It is a highly commercial species and a gamefish, with a low price category. Fishing vulnerability is moderate at 43 of 100 and resilience medium, and climate vulnerability is moderate to high at 53 of 100. IUCN lists it as least concern.
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