The diurnal pattern in the catch rate and feeding activity of Namibian hakes (Merluccius capensis and Merluccius paradoxus) was studied. Merluccius paradoxus fed more actively during the night, whereas the opposite was the case for M. capensis. However, catch rates for both species followed the same diurnal pattern. At night, the availability of these species to bottom trawls was lower, although the difference was relatively small (night cathces were 85-90% of day cathces). The diurnal pattern of the length composition of the catches for both species was constant and these patterns were maintained throughout the year.