The hooknose, commonly referring to the Pacific hooknose (Agonidae family, particularly Agonus cataphractus), is a small, bottom-dwelling fish found in cold northern waters, especially in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. Recognized by its armored, bony plates and distinctive upturned snout, the hooknose is not a major commercial species but is often caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries targeting more valuable groundfish. The top countries involved in hooknose fishing are Russia, Japan, and Norway, where these fish are harvested primarily in conjunction with larger, mixed-species bottom trawl operations. While not a primary target, hooknose are sometimes utilized locally for fishmeal or as bait, reflecting their minor but persistent role in the fishing industries of these northern maritime nations.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.