Top Ghost Shark Fishing Countries

Ghost sharks, also known as chimaeras or ratfish, are deep-sea cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays, recognized for their elongated bodies, large eyes, and translucent, ghostly appearance. These elusive species are primarily found in temperate ocean waters at depths ranging from 200 to over 2,600 meters. The leading countries involved in ghost shark fishing are New Zealand, Australia, and Portugal, with smaller fisheries in the United Kingdom, Norway, and Chile. In these regions, ghost sharks are often caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl fisheries targeting other species, but they are also directly targeted for their meat, which is consumed locally, and for their liver oil, valued in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. New Zealand and Australia have developed regulated fisheries for species such as the elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii) and the dark ghost shark (Hydrolagus novaezelandiae), while European nations mainly harvest the rabbitfish (Chimaera monstrosa) and related species. The management of ghost shark fisheries is increasingly important due to concerns about the vulnerability of deep-sea species to overfishing.

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