Top Skinnycheek Lanternfish Fishing Countries

The skinnycheek lanternfish (*Benthosema pterotum*) is a small, deep-sea species known for its bioluminescent organs and abundance in tropical and subtropical waters, particularly in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific. This lanternfish forms massive schools and serves as a crucial component of the oceanic food web, supporting larger predators. Although not widely targeted for direct human consumption, the skinnycheek lanternfish is commercially harvested for fishmeal and animal feed, especially in regions where large-scale pelagic trawling is practiced. The top countries engaged in the fishing of this species include Oman, Iran, and India, with Oman leading significant efforts in the Arabian Sea, where dedicated fisheries have developed to exploit the vast biomass of lanternfish. These countries have established fleets and processing facilities to capitalize on the species' abundance, making the skinnycheek lanternfish an emerging resource in the global fishmeal industry.

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