Top Slender Roughy Fishing Countries

The Top Slender Roughy (Optivus elongatus) is a small, deepwater fish found primarily in the temperate waters of the southwestern Pacific, particularly around Australia and New Zealand. Characterized by its elongated, slender body and silvery coloration, this species inhabits continental shelf and slope regions, often at depths of 100 to 400 meters. The commercial fishing industry for Top Slender Roughy is relatively modest compared to larger roughy species, but Australia and New Zealand are the primary countries engaged in its harvest, mainly as part of mixed deepwater trawl fisheries. These countries manage their fisheries with quotas and monitoring to ensure sustainability, as deepwater species like the Top Slender Roughy are generally slow-growing and vulnerable to overfishing. The catch is typically used for local consumption and export, often processed into fillets or sold whole in seafood markets.

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