Antarctica’s fishing industry is unique due to its remote, icy waters and strict international regulation under the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The top fish species caught are the Patagonian toothfish (often marketed as Chilean sea bass) and the Antarctic toothfish, both highly valued for their firm, white flesh and sought after in global markets. Commercial fishing in Antarctic waters began in the late 1960s, initially dominated by Soviet and Eastern Bloc fleets targeting marbled rockcod and icefish, but overfishing quickly led to population declines. Since the 1980s, the focus has shifted to toothfish, with quotas and monitoring enforced to prevent overexploitation and preserve the fragile ecosystem. Today, the Antarctic fishing industry is small but lucrative, with strict controls to ensure sustainability and minimize the impact on the region’s unique marine life.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.