Top Pelagic Armourhead Fishing Countries

The pelagic armourhead (Pseudopentaceros wheeleri) is a deep-sea fish species found primarily over seamounts and continental slopes in the North Pacific Ocean. Recognized for its robust, armored body and preference for depths between 200 and 600 meters, the pelagic armourhead became a significant target for commercial fisheries in the late 20th century. The primary fishing nations harvesting this species have historically included Japan, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), and South Korea, all of which developed specialized trawl fisheries to exploit large aggregations of armourhead on seamounts such as the Emperor and Hawaiian Ridge. Intense fishing pressure, especially during the 1960s to 1980s, led to overexploitation and sharp declines in stocks, prompting stricter management and, in some areas, the closure of fisheries. Today, catches are much reduced, but these countries remain the main historical contributors to the pelagic armourhead fishing industry.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.