The Spotted Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) is a deep-water cartilaginous fish found primarily along the Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to Baja California. Recognizable by its elongated, rat-like tail and silvery body speckled with white spots, the Spotted Ratfish is not a major target of commercial fisheries due to its limited culinary value and the presence of mildly toxic flesh. However, it is often caught as bycatch in trawl and longline fisheries targeting other groundfish species. The United States, particularly the states of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, accounts for most of the incidental catch, with Canada (British Columbia) also reporting landings. While not a focus of large-scale fisheries, the Spotted Ratfish is sometimes used for fishmeal, scientific research, and as bait, with its population considered stable due to low direct fishing pressure.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.