Top Lanternsharks Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

The top "Lanternsharks Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) fishing countries are primarily Japan, Spain, and Portugal, which are notable for their deep-sea fisheries targeting various species within the Etmopteridae family. Lanternsharks are small, bioluminescent deep-sea sharks found in oceans worldwide, typically inhabiting depths between 200 and 1,500 meters. They are characterized by their slender bodies and light-producing organs, which help them camouflage in the dark ocean. Lanternsharks are mostly caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl and longline fisheries targeting other species such as black scabbardfish and grenadiers. Japan leads in reported landings, often utilizing lanternsharks for fishmeal and oil, while Spain and Portugal also record significant catches, reflecting their active deep-sea fishing fleets in the Northeast Atlantic. Due to the aggregated reporting category "NEI," detailed statistics by species are limited, but these countries remain central to the global harvest of lanternsharks.

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