The Schoolmaster Gonate Squid (*Gonatus onyx*) is a deep-sea cephalopod species found primarily in the North Pacific Ocean, ranging from Japan and Russia across to Alaska, Canada, and down the west coast of North America. Recognized for its moderate size, gelatinous body, and ecological importance as both predator and prey, this squid is a key species in deep-sea food webs. Unlike more commercially targeted squids such as the Humboldt or Japanese flying squid, the Schoolmaster Gonate Squid is not a major focus of large-scale fisheries. However, it is incidentally caught in trawl fisheries and sometimes targeted for bait, scientific research, or local consumption. The top countries involved in harvesting this species are Japan, Russia, and the United States (particularly Alaska), where deep-sea trawl fisheries occasionally land them as part of mixed catches. While not a primary commercial species, the Schoolmaster Gonate Squid contributes to the overall cephalopod catch in these regions and is monitored for its ecological significance and potential future fishery development.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russian Federation | 68,167 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.