Hagfish, often called "slime eels," are jawless, eel-like marine creatures prized primarily for their skin, which is processed into "eel leather" for luxury goods, and for culinary uses in East Asia. The global hagfish fishery is relatively small but highly specialized, with South Korea standing out as the largest harvester and consumer, driven by domestic demand for both food and leather. Japan also maintains a significant hagfish fishery, primarily for food, while the United States, particularly along the Pacific coast (notably Oregon and California), has developed a targeted fishery largely to supply the East Asian market. These countries have established regulations to manage hagfish populations, as their slow reproductive rates make them vulnerable to overfishing, and the industry remains niche but valuable due to the high demand for their unique byproducts.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denmark | 13 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.