In a surprising turn of events, the blobfish has been crowned the winner of this year’s Fish of the Year contest in New Zealand. This quirky deep-sea creature triumphed over the orange roughy, a fish known for its unique appearance and deep-sea habitat. The contest, organized by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, aimed to raise awareness about the plight of vulnerable marine life.
The blobfish, often misunderstood due to its unconventional looks, received a surge of support thanks to a passionate campaign by local radio hosts Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn from More FM. Their enthusiastic push encouraged listeners to rally behind the blobfish, which has long been overlooked. The hosts expressed their desire for the blobfish to finally have its moment in the spotlight, stating, “He has been bullied his whole life, and we thought, ‘Stuff this, it’s time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun.’”
While the orange roughy seemed poised to win initially, the blobfish’s charm and the radio campaign helped it secure the top spot. Kim Jones, co-director of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, described the contest as “a battle of the deep sea forget-me-nots,” highlighting the uniqueness of both fish.
The blobfish, which feeds on molluscs, crustaceans, and sea urchins, is vulnerable to deep-sea trawling. This contest shines a light on the challenges faced by marine creatures, as nine of the ten nominees are considered vulnerable by conservation groups. The blobfish’s victory is a reminder of the importance of protecting these fascinating yet threatened species.
In addition to the Fish of the Year contest, New Zealand also hosts a Bird of the Year competition, which recently celebrated the hoiho, a rare penguin species. Both contests aim to raise awareness and appreciation for the country’s unique wildlife. The blobfish’s win is not just a fun event; it serves as a call to action for conservation efforts in the deep sea.