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White flesh of a fish with the syndrome. Photo: Moana New Zealand
Scientists investigating the milky flesh syndrome affecting snapper and some other finfish has found they're malnourished.
In a report just released this morning, Fisheries New Zealand has found that the fish are skinny and hungry.
Director of Science & Information Simon Lawrence says there's also a mix of complex climate factors contributing to their flesh turning milky white.
Fishers raised the alarm in 2022, after catching affected snapper and trevally.
Testing at the time found no biosecurity of food safety concerns.
It has been most prevalent throughout the inner Hauraki Gulf, near Auckland, and around Doubtless Bay near Northland.