The New Zealand torpedo, also known as the electric ray (Torpedo fairchildi), is a lesser-known species of cartilaginous fish native to the waters around New Zealand. Characterized by its rounded, flattened body and ability to generate electric shocks for defense and hunting, the New Zealand torpedo is not a primary target for large-scale commercial fisheries. However, it is occasionally caught as bycatch in trawl and bottom-set net fisheries. New Zealand is the principal country associated with the harvest of this species, given its endemic range, and there is limited international trade or targeted fishing for torpedoes elsewhere. The fishing industry in New Zealand is highly regulated, with a focus on sustainable practices, and the torpedo is generally not a significant contributor to the nation’s seafood exports compared to more commercially valuable species like hoki, snapper, and rock lobster.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 3 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.