Kahawai is an iconic New Zealand fish, and is a favourite of recreational and customary fishers. There is also a relatively small commercial catch. In 2008 / 2009, the total allowable catch for kahawai is nearly 7,000 tonnes, of which only 40% will be caught commercially.

However, not a great deal is known about the genetics of this fish. In fact, many people don't realise there are several sub-species of kahawai, and that relatives can be found as far away as Australia.

These are:

Species	Details
Kahawai or Australasian salmon (Arripis trutta)	Believed to extend right around NZ and around the southern coast of Australia. Grows to approx 80cm.
Kermadec kahawai (Arripis xylabion)	Range is from the Kermadecs south to approximately the Bay of Plenty. A. xylabion can be identified by measuring the top lobe of the caudal (i.e., tail) fin. If this is >30% of the length of the body of the fish, the specimen is A. xylabion. If this fin lobe is <30%, the specimen is A. trutta. Can grow larger than A. trutta.
Western Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea)	Confined to southern Western Australia. Can grow larger than A. trutta.
Tommy ruff or Australian herring (Arripis georgianus)	From southern Australia. The smallest member of the family