Pacific Hagfish

Pacific hagfish, also called slime eel, is a species of jawless fish that is found along the entire West Coast from Alaska to Baja California. Although it is technically a vertebrate, hagfish lack true vertebrae, having lost them as the fish evolved over time. Hagfish live on the seafloor in mud habitat at depths up to 4,000 feet. Individuals reach maturity between seven and 12 years, and adult females are typically larger than males. Hagfish are slow-growing and long-lived, with a lifespan of 25 to 50 years. Although some hagfish have eye spots that can detect light, they are functionally blind. Hagfish produce a thick, viscous slime that they use to encase their bodies for protection against predation, hence the nickname "slime eel." As scavengers, hagfish primarily feed on decaying matter, though they may also consume benthic invertebrates. Natural predators include spiny dogfish and marine mammals.

Overall availability

This commercial fishery operates year-round in state and federal waters in California and Oregon. Hagfish is typically sold live, fresh or frozen. The main market for hagfish is South Korea, with efforts to develop US markets through education in handling and cooking methods ongoing. 

Management

Hagfish are fished commercially using baited pots. The fishery is managed independently by each state (CA, OR). In Washington, hagfish is an experimental fishery meaning data are being collected to determine whether the hagfish population is sufficient to support a commercial fishery. 

More Information

Other Common Names: slime eel