Top Rudderfish Fishing Countries

The top rudderfish (Centrolophus niger), also known as black ruff, is a deep-bodied, dark-colored pelagic fish found in temperate and subtropical waters worldwide, typically at depths of 200–1,000 meters. This species is not a major target of commercial fisheries but is often caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl and longline operations. The primary countries harvesting top rudderfish include Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, and Japan, where it is occasionally landed and marketed, particularly in local markets or as part of mixed deep-sea fish catches. While not a high-value species, the top rudderfish contributes to the diversity of deep-sea fish landings, and its mild, white flesh is sometimes used fresh or processed. The fishing industry for this species remains relatively small and opportunistic compared to more commercially important deep-sea species.

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