Australian Salmon , known as kahawai in New Zealand, are medium-sized perciform marine fish of the small family Arripidae (sometimes incorrectly spelled Arripididae). Four species are recognized, all within the genus Arripis. Despite the common name, Australian Salmon are not related to the salmon (family Salmonidae) of the Northern Hemisphere; the former were named so by early European settlers after their superficial resemblance to the salmoniform fishes.
Relatively long-lived fish, Australian Salmon are a favored target of recreational fishers, and both commercial and traditional Māori fisheries. They are also common bycatch of the snapper[disambiguation needed], mullet, trevally, and mackerel fisheries. These species are all taken in great numbers by way of purse seine nets and trawling. They are also caught by skilled fishermen along the southern coastline of Australia by beach seining. Due to declining numbers and ever-increasing annual catch sizes, the future viability of the Australian Salmon stock has been put into question.
