Top Grenadiers, Rattails Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Top grenadiers, also known as rattails, are deep-sea fish belonging to the family Macrouridae, characterized by their elongated bodies and tapering tails. These species inhabit continental slopes and abyssal plains, often at depths ranging from 200 to over 2,000 meters. The primary fishing nations targeting grenadiers and rattails (not elsewhere included) are Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, and Russia, with significant landings also reported from France and Norway. These countries operate deep-water trawl fisheries, often as part of mixed-species catches that include other deep-sea species. Grenadiers are valued for their mild, white flesh and are mostly processed into fillets or surimi. The fishing industry faces challenges due to the slow growth and late maturity of these fish, making them vulnerable to overexploitation; as a result, several regional fishery management organizations have implemented catch limits and stricter regulations to ensure sustainable harvests.

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