Sculpins are a diverse family of bottom-dwelling fish (family Cottidae) found in cold and temperate marine and freshwater environments, particularly in the northern hemisphere. Characterized by their large, spiny heads and tapered bodies, sculpins are not typically targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries but are caught as bycatch or in small-scale artisanal fisheries. The countries most associated with sculpin fishing include Russia, the United States (notably Alaska), Canada, and Japan, where they are harvested from the North Pacific and Arctic waters. In these regions, sculpins are sometimes used as food, bait, or in local cuisines, though their commercial value is generally lower than more prominent species like cod or pollock. The fishing industry for sculpins is thus relatively minor but regionally important, especially in remote coastal communities where they supplement local diets and economies.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.