Top Kerguelen Sandpaper Skate Fishing Countries

The Kerguelen sandpaper skate (*Bathyraja irrasa*) is a deep-sea skate species found primarily around the remote Kerguelen Plateau in the southern Indian Ocean. Characterized by its rough, sandpaper-like skin and broad, flattened body, this species inhabits cold, deep waters, making it less accessible than many coastal skates. The primary fishing activity targeting the Kerguelen sandpaper skate is conducted by industrial fleets operating in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF), particularly from France, which administers the Kerguelen Islands. Additionally, fishing vessels from countries such as Russia, Spain, and occasionally South Korea and Japan have historically participated in deep-sea trawl fisheries in this region under international agreements. The skate is mainly harvested as bycatch in toothfish and other deep-sea fisheries, with its wings sometimes processed for export. Due to its limited range and vulnerability to overfishing, the species is subject to management by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and French authorities to ensure sustainable harvests.

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