Top Ratfishes Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Ratfishes, belonging to the order Chimaeriformes, are deep-sea cartilaginous fishes closely related to sharks and rays, characterized by their elongated bodies, large pectoral fins, and distinctive rat-like tails. While not a primary target for most commercial fisheries, ratfishes are sometimes caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl and longline fisheries, particularly in temperate and cold waters. The main countries reporting notable catches of ratfishes (often grouped as "not elsewhere included" in FAO statistics) include Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. These nations harvest ratfishes primarily in the North Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans, where the species are occasionally processed for fishmeal, oil, or used locally as food. However, the overall economic importance of ratfishes remains minor compared to more commercially valuable species, and their unique biology and slow reproductive rates have led to growing concerns about the sustainability of deep-sea fisheries that incidentally catch them.

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