The Antarctic escolar (Dissostichus mawsoni), also known as the Antarctic toothfish, is a large, deep-sea predatory fish native to the cold waters surrounding Antarctica. This species is highly valued for its firm, white flesh and is often marketed as "Chilean sea bass" alongside its relative, the Patagonian toothfish. The primary fishing nations targeting Antarctic escolar operate under strict regulations set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to ensure sustainable harvests. The top fishing countries include New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, and Spain, each holding significant quotas and operating specialized longline vessels in the Southern Ocean. These countries' fishing industries are closely monitored to prevent overfishing and to protect the fragile Antarctic ecosystem, making the Antarctic escolar fishery one of the most regulated in the world.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.