The Glasshead Grenadier (Hymenocephalus italicus) is a deep-sea fish species found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, inhabiting depths between 200 and 1,200 meters. Characterized by its translucent head and elongated body, the Glasshead Grenadier is typically caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl fisheries rather than as a targeted species. The primary countries involved in harvesting this species are Spain, Italy, and Greece, whose fleets operate in the Mediterranean and adjacent Atlantic waters. While the Glasshead Grenadier is not a major commercial species, it is occasionally landed and sold locally, especially in Mediterranean markets, contributing modestly to the deep-sea fishing industry in these regions. The fishing of this species is closely linked to the broader exploitation of deep-sea resources, with management measures in place to monitor and mitigate the impact on vulnerable marine ecosystems.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.