The Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), often marketed as "Chilean sea bass," is a deep-water species native to the cold, southern waters of the Southern Ocean, particularly around sub-Antarctic islands and the continental shelves off South America. Highly prized for its rich, buttery flesh, the Patagonian toothfish supports a lucrative international fishery, with major harvesting nations including Chile, Argentina, France (via its overseas territories such as Kerguelen and Crozet Islands), Australia, and the United Kingdom (through the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands). The fishery is closely regulated by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to combat overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which have historically threatened the species. Today, legal toothfish fisheries are known for their strict quota systems and traceability measures, making the Patagonian toothfish a symbol of both the challenges and successes in sustainable high-value fisheries management.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 5,585 |
| 2 | Chile | 4,357 |
| 3 | Argentina | 3,638 |
| 4 | Australia | 3,137 |
| 5 | Republic of Korea | 2,515 |
| 6 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | 1,592 |
| 7 | Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | 1,104 |
| 8 | Peru | 303 |
| 9 | Uruguay | 205 |
| 10 | Spain | 104 |
| 11 | Japan | 92 |
| 12 | South Africa | 38 |
| 13 | Ecuador | 4 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.