Blobfish’s surprising journey from ‘ugliest’ to ‘Fish of the Year’ in New Zealand

The blobfish, once notoriously labelled as the world's ugliest animal, has been accorded a new and unexpected title in recent years. It was recently declared New Zealand's Fish of the Year, a distinction which altered the general public's perception of this bizarre, much-maligned deep-sea fish. This annual competition, being held by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, seeks to promote New Zealand's native aquatic animals and raise ocean conservation awareness.

The blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) exists near the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, in the deep, high-pressure areas, and is able to survive where conditions would kill all other life. Since the blobfish has to exist so deep, its body evolved into a soft, jelly-like form, very different from the hard body of other fish. In an interesting twist, the blobfish is missing a swim bladder, full skeleton, muscles, or scales, making it lighter so that it floats a little above the ocean floor. This remarkable adaptation is meant to save energy in a world where food might be difficult to find.

As strange as it appears, the blobfish is not an immobile animal. Blobfish have lifespans of up to 130 years, says conservation trust's Konrad Kurta, so although they are slow, they are slow-moving predators. They do not actively pursue prey but remain stationary in wait for food to approach close enough to be eaten. "It just sits and waits for food to come close," Kurta describes, citing the blobfish's stationary life in its deep environment.

The blobfish was initially made well-known when the photo captured on board a research ship went around the globe, revealing its drooping, nearly farcical facial structure. This is not the optimum photo to illustrate the true shape of the blobfish. Kurta describes that the shape of the blobfish is warped due to the process of instant decompression when taken up to the surface. "Down below, it appears like a typical deep-sea fish," he continues, describing how its appearances are merely a product of the extreme pressures of the deep sea. Far from sad-looking, the blobfish is actually a committed parent. Females lay as many as 100,000 eggs, incubating them until they hatch, an incredible achievement in the animal kingdom.

Although the blobfish's new title as Fish of the Year is something to celebrate, its future is far from guaranteed. The blobfish's conservation status is not well known, but the habitat it depends on is under threat. Bottom-trawling, the practice employed to catch bottom-dwellers such as the orange roughy, is one of the means by which the blobfish are caught incidentally. It is also responsible for significant harm to sensitive marine ecosystems. The blobfish's habitat is under threat, and conservationists are worried about the long-term existence of the species.

The Blobfish won its competition in the Fish of the Year competition by polling 1,286 votes and beating the orange roughy by a slim 300 votes margin. The orange roughy has long been targeted by conservation groups such as Greenpeace and Forest & Bird, who have called for greater protection due to how vulnerable it is. Aaron Packard of the Environmental Law Initiative was delighted with the victory, saying, "We are very happy for the blobfish.". A victory for the blobfish also spotlights orange roughy." New Zealand is home to 80 percent of all orange roughy catch, and conservationists have been campaigning for years for tough controls to safeguard this fish.
New Zealand's indigenous species were the most prominent among the top entries for the Fish of the Year award this year, including the longfin eel (Māori tuna), pygmy pipehorse, and critically endangered mudfish. Sharks and rays were also in the running. The competition not only honors the species but also to bring attention to the need to promote wider marine conservation. 85 percent of New Zealand's native fish are under threat, Kurta finds. "Just the fact that people know these fish exist is the first step," he says. "It helps people relate to what's going on beneath the water." The blobfish's designation as Fish of the Year is a welcome reminder of just how delicate marine animals are and how crucial it is to save aquatic diversity for the next generation.
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