Antarctic toothfish

Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) is a species of notothenioid fish found in the cold, deep waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. It is one of two species of toothfish, the other being the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides).

Description

The Antarctic toothfish can grow up to 2 meters in length and weigh up to 100 kilograms. It has a dark brown to black coloration, and is characterized by its large head and mouth, which is filled with sharp, canine-like teeth.

Habitat and Distribution

The Antarctic toothfish is found in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, particularly in the Ross Sea. It inhabits depths of up to 2,200 meters, but is most commonly found at depths of 500 to 1,000 meters.

Diet

The diet of the Antarctic toothfish primarily consists of fish and squid, but it is also known to eat krill and other invertebrates. It is a top predator in its ecosystem, with few natural predators other than killer whales and Weddell seals.

Commercial Fishing

The Antarctic toothfish is a valuable species for commercial fishing, particularly for the market in the United States, where it is sold under the name "Chilean sea bass". However, overfishing and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing have led to concerns about the sustainability of toothfish populations.

Conservation

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is responsible for the management of toothfish fisheries in the Southern Ocean. Measures have been implemented to reduce the impact of fishing on toothfish populations, including catch limits and the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS).

See also

• Fisheries in the Southern Ocean
• Marine life of Antarctica