Blobfish Triumphs as New Zealand's Fish of the Year

The blobfish, once known as the world's ugliest animal, has taken the prestigious title of Fish of the Year in New Zealand, shining a light on the importance of marine conservation.

Don't judge a blob by its cover, they say. The blobfish, notorious for its soft and lumpy appearance, has struck an unexpected victory, being named this week’s Fish of the Year by the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust in New Zealand. This annual competition aims to raise awareness about the region's delicate freshwater and marine ecosystems and engage the public in conservation efforts.

The blobfish clinched the title with an impressive 1,300 votes from a total of over 5,500, highlighting a renewed interest in this deep-sea resident, which entered the public's consciousness when it became the mascot for the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in 2013. Typically found off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania, the gelatinous blobfish thrives at depths between 2,000 to 4,000 feet (600 to 1,200 meters) on the seafloor, where high water pressure gives it a more conventional fish appearance.

However, when it is pulled to the surface, the blobfish's body deforms into the flatter, more grotesque shape that led to its infamous reputation. It is not surprising that the orange roughy, another deep-sea fish with mucous canals on its head, was the blobfish’s closest competitor, finishing in second place.

"The blobfish and orange roughy are both quirky deep-sea critters, but the blobfish's unique character won voters over," said Kim Jones, co-director of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. The local radio hosts, Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn from More FM, campaigned passionately for the blobfish, stating it was "time for the blobfish to have its moment in the sun," thus rallying support for this oft-overlooked marine creature.

The blobfish primarily feeds on mollusks, crustaceans like crabs and lobsters, and sea urchins. Its soft, flabby body structure, lacking traditional bones and scales, makes it unique among fish. Yet, like many deep-sea species, the blobfish faces vulnerabilities, especially due to deep-sea trawling practices.

Interestingly, nine out of the ten nominees for the Fish of the Year title are considered vulnerable, stressing the urgent need for conservation efforts in New Zealand's waters. This contest is reminiscent of the country’s Bird of the Year competition, organized by Forest & Bird, which seeks to highlight important avian species, the latest winner being the hoiho, a rare penguin species.

As the blobfish basks in its newfound fame as Fish of the Year, advocates hope it brings more attention to the conservation challenges facing many marine species.