The Black Brotula (Brotula multibarbata) is a deepwater, eel-like fish found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, often inhabiting depths between 100 and 800 meters. Recognized for its elongated body, dark coloration, and multiple chin barbels, the Black Brotula is not a primary target for large-scale commercial fisheries but is occasionally caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations. The leading countries involved in the harvesting of Black Brotula include China, Japan, and some Southeast Asian nations, where deepwater trawling fleets operate extensively. In these regions, the species is sometimes marketed locally or used as fishmeal, but it does not command high economic value compared to more commercially important deep-sea fish. The Black Brotula’s limited direct exploitation and scattered distribution mean that it plays a minor role in the global fishing industry, with most catches unreported or aggregated with other deepwater species.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecuador | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.