Patagonian toothfish

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The Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a large fish found in the cold, temperate waters (from 50 to 3850m) of the Southern Atlantic, Southern Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans on seamounts and continental shelves around most sub-Antarctic islands. A commercial fishery exists for Patagonian Toothfish; the meat is sold under the trade names Chilean Sea Bass in the USA, Merluza Negra in Argentina and Uruguay and mero in Japan, and high prices are paid for it. A close relative, the Antarctic Toothfish, Dissostichus mawsoni, is found further south, around the edges of the Antarctic shelf.

The average weight of a commercially caught toothfish is 9-10 kilograms (20 pounds) with large adults occasionally exceeding 200 kilograms (440 pounds). They are thought to live to 50 years, reaching a length of 2.3 metres (8 feet).

Patagonian toothfish are sometimes confused with the Antarctic Cod, although the toothfish is not a cod. The Picture below is an Antarctic Cod.

Patagonian toothfish feed largely on squid, fishes and prawns and, in turn, constitute a large part of the diets of sperm whales, Southern Elephant Seals, and colossal squid.

Illegal fishing

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The illegal capture and sale of the Patagonian toothfish has led to several arrests. Illegal overfishing threatens the species in some areas, as it is slow-growing, reaching maturity between 10 and 12 years of age. The longline fishery has also been criticised for drowning thousands of seabirds, including Albatrosses.

However, in the last few years the management of several fisheries has improved, with increased patrolling for illegal vessels and stringent regulations for legal operators. Although overfishing and illegal 'pirate fishing' is still a problem in places, the Marine Stewardship Council has certified the fishery in South Georgia for sustainable management. South Georgia has the largest Toothfish fishery, with a TAC (Total Allowable Catch) of around 3000 tonnes per year, taken by approximately ten vessels.

Illegal catches may be up to five times the legal catch limit. As a direct result, some researchers have predicted a total collapse of the fishery within two to five years. Called the "white gold of the Southern Oceans," illegal toothfish catches are unloaded at so-called "pirate ports" in countries such as Namibia, Mauritius, South Africa's Prince Edward Islands, and Australia's Heard Island and McDonald Islands. The fish are then sold on the black market, a single sashimi-grade specimen fetching as much as USD $1,000.

The Patagonian toothfish is found in the exclusive economic zone of the French Southern Territories (Kerguelen Islands). In the past, France sold some fishing rights to Japanese and other foreign fisheries; because of overfishing, now fishing is reserved for fisheries from Réunion Island. Because of poaching, the French Navy patrols the zone and has made numerous arrests and seizures.

References

[Dissostichus eleginoides (TSN 642807)]. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 19 March 2006.
"[Dissostichus eleginoides]." FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. November 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.

External links

BBC News: [Toothfish at risk from illegal catches]
Traffic.org: [Patagonian Toothfish: Are Conservation and Trade Measures Working?]

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