Top Madeira Lantern Fish Fishing Countries

The Madeira lanternfish (Ceratoscopelus maderensis) is a small, bioluminescent deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly abundant in the eastern and central Atlantic, including waters off Madeira, the Azores, and the Mediterranean Sea. Recognized for its role in marine food webs and as a source of fishmeal, the Madeira lanternfish is primarily targeted by countries with developed deep-sea fishing industries. The top fishing nations harvesting this species include Spain, Portugal, and Russia, whose fleets operate in the Northeast Atlantic and adjacent waters. These countries utilize midwater trawling techniques to catch lanternfish, which are often processed into animal feed, fish oil, and, to a lesser extent, used as bait in other fisheries. While not a major direct food source for humans, the Madeira lanternfish supports important commercial activities in regions where deep-sea fishing is prominent.

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