Patagonian Toothfish - 2017 Blue/Green Titanium Coin

The Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a species of cod found in cold icy waters primarily in the southern Hemisphere at depths of between 45m and 3850m! Toothfish can grow to become very large and can weigh up to 100kg and reach 2.3m in length, although this is quite rare. It is estimated that they can live for up 50 years and sustain themselves by feeding on squid, small fish, prawns, crabs.

The Patagonian Toothfish is widely commercially fished however its name is deemed to be unattractive to consumers. In 1977 a U.S. fish wholesaler decided he wished to sell the species under a different name and chose to call it the ‘Chilean Sea Bass’ a name which is now recognised by FDA (Food & Drug Administration) for both the Patagonian Toothfish and a close relative, the Antarctic Toothfish.

The Falkland Islands are playing a role in the conservation of this species by creating regulated fisheries and collating data from Patagonian Toothfish catches. This was set up in 1994 with the increase in dermersal longliners targeting this species at depths of over 600m. The reports show that the fish stocks mainly decreased from 1994-1999 with the biomass currently at about 50% of what it was in its unexploited state. The official body responsible for the sustainable development of fisheries in the Falklands is the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department (FIS), established in 1987.