The Midway Deep Sea Coral is not a recognized fish species; rather, "deep sea coral" refers to slow-growing, habitat-forming corals found in deep ocean environments, which are crucial for marine biodiversity. However, deep-sea coral ecosystems are often impacted by deep-sea fishing activities, particularly bottom trawling for commercially valuable fish species such as orange roughy, alfonsino, and grenadiers. The leading countries engaged in deep-sea trawl fisheries that affect these coral habitats include New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Portugal, and Russia. These nations operate large distant-water fleets targeting deep-sea fish on continental slopes and seamounts, often in international waters. The fishing industry in these countries has faced increasing regulation due to concerns over the destruction of vulnerable deep-sea coral habitats, leading to international agreements and the establishment of protected areas to mitigate the impacts of deep-sea fishing on these unique ecosystems.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.