Top Shortspine Thornyhead Fishing Countries

The shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) is a deepwater, slow-growing rockfish species found primarily in the North Pacific Ocean, from the Bering Sea down to southern California. Known for its spiny appearance and bright reddish coloration, this species inhabits depths ranging from 100 to over 1,200 meters. The shortspine thornyhead is highly valued in commercial fisheries, particularly for its firm, white flesh and its popularity in Asian markets. The top countries harvesting shortspine thornyhead are the United States (notably Alaska and the U.S. West Coast), Canada (mainly British Columbia), and Japan. In the U.S. and Canada, the species is primarily caught as part of multi-species groundfish trawl and longline fisheries, while Japan imports much of its supply. Management measures, such as quotas and gear restrictions, are in place in North America to ensure the sustainability of shortspine thornyhead stocks, reflecting the species' vulnerability due to its longevity and slow reproductive rate.

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