The Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica) is a small, pelagic fish species endemic to the Southern Ocean, playing a crucial role in the Antarctic marine food web as a primary prey for penguins, seals, and other predators. Commercial fishing for Antarctic silverfish is limited, as the species is not widely targeted due to its ecological importance and the challenging conditions of the Southern Ocean. However, countries with active fishing fleets in Antarctic waters, such as Norway, Russia, and historically Ukraine, have shown interest in exploratory fishing for silverfish, mainly under the regulation of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). These nations focus more on other Antarctic species like Patagonian toothfish and krill, but silverfish are sometimes caught incidentally or studied for potential future fisheries. Strict international regulations and conservation measures currently restrict large-scale exploitation to protect the delicate Antarctic ecosystem.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.