The Pawnee dragonfish, a deep-sea species known for its bioluminescent organs and elongated, slender body, inhabits the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones of the world’s oceans. Though not a primary target for large-scale commercial fisheries due to its deep habitat and relatively low abundance, some countries with advanced deep-sea fishing fleets, such as Japan, Russia, and Norway, have reported incidental catches of the Pawnee dragonfish during trawl operations targeting other deep-sea species. These nations possess the technology and expertise to operate in the challenging environments where dragonfish are found, primarily harvesting them as bycatch rather than through directed fisheries. The economic significance of the Pawnee dragonfish remains limited, but its capture contributes to scientific research and the understanding of deep-sea ecosystems in these leading fishing countries.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.