The Pale Toadfish (*Ambophthalmos angustus*) is a deep-sea species found primarily in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, particularly around New Zealand and southeastern Australia. Recognizable by its pale coloration and toad-like appearance, this benthic fish inhabits continental slope waters at depths ranging from 200 to over 1,000 meters. While not a major target of commercial fisheries due to its relatively low abundance and limited culinary appeal, the Pale Toadfish is occasionally captured as bycatch in deepwater trawl fisheries, especially those targeting species like hoki and orange roughy. New Zealand and Australia are the primary countries where the Pale Toadfish is encountered and incidentally harvested, with New Zealand’s deep-sea trawl fleet reporting the majority of bycatch records. The species has little direct economic importance, but its presence highlights the biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems in these regions and underscores the need for responsible management of deepwater fisheries.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 8 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.