The black gemfish (Rexea antefurcata) is a deepwater, elongated, predatory fish found primarily in the temperate waters of the southern hemisphere, especially in the southwestern Pacific and Indian Oceans. Recognized for its sleek, metallic body and valued for its firm, white flesh, black gemfish is an important target for commercial longline and trawl fisheries. The top countries harvesting black gemfish are Australia and New Zealand, where the species is managed under strict quotas to ensure sustainability. Both nations have developed significant export markets for gemfish, supplying fresh and frozen products to Asia and Europe. Smaller fisheries also exist off the coasts of South Africa and occasionally in Japan, but Australia and New Zealand remain the primary contributors to the global black gemfish catch, reflecting their proximity to the species’ main habitats and their advanced fisheries management systems.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.