The Short Headed Lantern Fish (*Diaphus hudsoni*) is a small, bioluminescent deep-sea species found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Characterized by its short head and light-producing organs, it plays a vital role in marine food webs as prey for larger fish, squid, and marine mammals. While not a primary target for most commercial fisheries due to its small size and deepwater habitat, some countries have developed specialized fisheries to harvest lantern fish, including the Short Headed Lantern Fish, primarily for use in fishmeal and animal feed. The top fishing nations for lantern fish species are typically those with advanced pelagic fishing fleets and access to deep-sea resources, such as Japan, Norway, and Russia. These countries utilize midwater trawling techniques to harvest lantern fish in large volumes, contributing to their fishmeal industries and supporting global aquaculture and agriculture sectors.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 54 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.