Top ruffs and barrelfishes (family Centrolophidae and related groups) are deep-sea fish species found in temperate and subtropical waters worldwide, often inhabiting midwater and continental slope environments. These fishes, sometimes grouped as "barrelfishes not elsewhere included" in FAO catch statistics, are not typically the focus of large-scale commercial fisheries but are harvested as bycatch or in targeted deepwater trawl and longline fisheries. The main countries reporting significant catches of these species include New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, and Japan, where deep-sea fishing fleets operate. The industry is relatively small compared to major commercial species, but the fish are valued for their mild-flavored flesh and are sold fresh or frozen in local markets. Sustainable management is a concern, as deepwater species like barrelfishes are often slow-growing and vulnerable to overfishing.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 34 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.