The Spotted Lanternfish (*Myctophum punctatum*) is a small, bioluminescent deep-sea fish found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Recognized for their role in the oceanic food web and diel vertical migrations, lanternfish are not traditionally targeted for direct human consumption but are increasingly harvested for fishmeal, animal feed, and aquaculture. The top countries engaged in Spotted Lanternfish fishing include Norway, Japan, and Russia, which have developed specialized deep-sea trawling fleets to exploit these abundant midwater resources. In recent years, these nations have expanded their lanternfish fisheries as demand for alternative protein sources and fish oil grows, although the industry remains relatively small compared to other commercial fisheries due to the logistical challenges of deep-sea harvesting and processing.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.