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Spotted Wolffish
Photo by Gonzalo Mucientes Sandoval – some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
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The Spotted Wolffish is a distinct species in the wolffish family found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. Characterized by its unique pattern of spots, powerful jaws, and strong teeth designed to crush hard-shelled prey, this species contributes significantly to the marine ecosystem’s diversity. Preferring rocky underwater landscapes, the Spotted Wolffish is a bottom-dwelling fish that plays a crucial role in controlling invertebrate populations, thus maintaining the health of its habitat. Despite its important ecological role, the Spotted Wolffish faces threats from overfishing and habitat destruction, making conservation efforts vital for its survival.
Population
Scientific surveys in the western Atlantic show marked declines in abundance over the past 21 years, about 3 wolffish generations. Since 1978, numbers in Newfoundland waters are indicated to be down by 96%, and the fish is found in significantly fewer survey stations. Mean size has also declined over time.
Scientific Name
Anarhichas minor
Conservation Status
Classified as threatened by both SARA and COSEWIC due to overfishing and habitat destruction.
Size
Adults range in length 12-16m and weighing 25-30 tons. Females are generally larger.
Habitat & Range
The spotted wolffish is found in cold, continental shelf and slope waters across the North Atlantic from Scotland to Cape Breton. In the western North Atlantic, it occurs primarily off northeast Newfoundland.
The spotted wolffish is found in waters between 50 and 600 m deep and at temperatures lower than 5EC. It lives generally offshore over sand or mud bottoms and often in proximity to boulders.
Diet
Primarily consumes hard-shelled mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
Wolffish in Newfoundland & Labrador
The Spotted Wolffish, recognized for its large size, slow growth rate, and long lifespan, is a solitary species known for its unique nest-building behavior. Over recent generations, this species has experienced a dramatic decline, with populations decreasing by more than 90%. This decline is not just numerical but also geographical, as the number of habitats where these fish are found has significantly dwindled.
The threats facing the Spotted Wolffish are multifaceted. One primary concern is their incidental capture as bycatch in fisheries, which leads to high mortality rates. Since the Spotted Wolffish is a bottom dweller, it is particularly susceptible to bottom trawling activities—a fishing method that disrupts the seabed, destroying the wolffish’s natural habitat. This habitat alteration has severe consequences, not only destroying their immediate living spaces but also affecting the overall health of the marine ecosystem they inhabit.
Moreover, the Spotted Wolffish’s capacity for dispersal is limited. This means that once their populations are impacted in one area, they are less likely to recover quickly or spread to new areas to repopulate. Their slow reproduction rate compounds this issue, making recovery even more challenging.
The decline of the Spotted Wolffish reflects broader environmental and ecological concerns, including the need for sustainable fishing practices and habitat conservation efforts to ensure the survival of this and other marine species.
Photo by blaalesta
Download information pamphlets
Diver Information Flyer
Printable PDF that includes information on safe encounters, identification, and data collection.
Fisher Information Flyer
Printable PDF that includes information on safe release methods, identification, and data collection.
further resources
CPAWS NL Wolffish Survey
Citizen Science survey to log sighting data