The ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) is a bottom-dwelling, eel-like fish native to the cold waters of the Northwest Atlantic, particularly along the eastern coast of North America from Labrador to New Jersey. Known for its elongated body and distinctive pout, this species thrives in rocky, coastal habitats. Ocean pout is primarily harvested as bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries targeting other groundfish such as cod and haddock. The top countries involved in ocean pout fishing are the United States and Canada, with the majority of landings historically coming from the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions. Although once more commercially significant, ocean pout fisheries have declined due to overfishing and environmental concerns, leading to stricter regulations and reduced catches in recent decades. The species is now mainly processed for fish meal, animal feed, and, in some cases, used in aquaculture research due to its antifreeze proteins.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.