The wolf eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) is a unique, elongated fish native to the North Pacific Ocean, recognized for its eel-like body and powerful jaws, which it uses to feed on hard-shelled prey such as sea urchins, crabs, and mollusks. While not a true eel, the wolf eel is prized for its mild, white flesh and is occasionally targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries. The primary countries involved in wolf eel harvesting are the United States (particularly Alaska and the Pacific Northwest), Canada (especially British Columbia), and Russia, where they are caught as bycatch in bottom trawl and longline fisheries targeting other groundfish species. Although not a major commercial species, wolf eels are sometimes sold in local markets and exported in small quantities, with their unique appearance also making them popular in public aquariums. The fishing industry manages wolf eel populations through bycatch regulations and habitat protections, ensuring sustainable harvests in the regions where they are found.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.