Top Baird'S Slickhead Fishing Countries

Baird's slickhead (Alepocephalus bairdii) is a deep-sea fish species found in the North Atlantic Ocean, typically inhabiting depths between 500 and 2,000 meters. Characterized by its soft, scaleless body and large eyes adapted to the low-light environment, this species is not a primary target of commercial fisheries but is often caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations. The main countries involved in the harvesting of Baird's slickhead are those with significant deep-sea fishing industries in the North Atlantic, notably Spain, Portugal, and France, as well as the United States and Canada to a lesser extent. These countries operate fleets that target various deep-sea species such as grenadiers, black scabbardfish, and orange roughy, with Baird's slickhead occasionally retained for fishmeal or discarded. The overall catch of this species remains relatively low compared to more commercially valuable deep-sea fish, and there is limited targeted fishing pressure due to its low market demand.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.