Celebrated for its unconventional beauty, the blobfish garnered nearly 1,300 votes, emerging victorious in an annual competition aimed at promoting awareness of vulnerable marine life.
Blobfish Triumphs as New Zealand's Fish of the Year: A Victory for the 'Ugly'
Blobfish Triumphs as New Zealand's Fish of the Year: A Victory for the 'Ugly'
The blobfish, once labeled the world's ugliest animal, has won a New Zealand environmental group's Fish of the Year title in a surprising comeback.
The blobfish, a creature synonymous with the label of "world's ugliest animal," has turned heads in the undersea world by clinching the title of Fish of the Year from the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust in New Zealand. This quirky event, aimed at raising awareness about the country's freshwater and marine ecosystems, saw the blobfish winning the hearts of voters with nearly 1,300 ballots out of the more than 5,500 cast.
Once recognized for its misshapen appearance that earned it mainstream fame as the mascot for the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in 2013, the blobfish resides on the ocean floor, reaching lengths of about 12 inches (30 cm). Mainly found off Australia and Tasmania at depths ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet (600-1,200 meters), the fish's gelatinous form belies its true appearance, which resembles a more regular fish shape under the immense pressure of its deep-sea habitat.
The blobfish faced stiff competition from its deep-sea rival, the orange roughy, known for its unique head featuring mucous canals. Kim Jones, co-director of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, described it as a "battle of the deep sea forget-me-nots." As voting intensified, a spirited campaign led by local radio hosts Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn brought momentum to the blobfish's cause, urging listeners to support the underdog and securing its unexpected win.
Reflecting on the blobfish's journey, Gandy and Flynn celebrated its victory by stating, “He has been bullied his whole life; it’s time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun.” The blobfish primarily feeds on mollusks, as well as crustaceans like crabs and lobsters and sea urchins, thriving in its unique, soft-bodied state devoid of traditional bones and scales.
Remarkably, nine of the ten contenders in this year’s contest are regarded as vulnerable by conservation advocates, highlighting the ongoing need for awareness and protection of marine biodiversity. New Zealand's dedication to conservation is further demonstrated by its parallel Bird of the Year contest, where the rare hoiho penguin was crowned last September.
Once recognized for its misshapen appearance that earned it mainstream fame as the mascot for the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in 2013, the blobfish resides on the ocean floor, reaching lengths of about 12 inches (30 cm). Mainly found off Australia and Tasmania at depths ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet (600-1,200 meters), the fish's gelatinous form belies its true appearance, which resembles a more regular fish shape under the immense pressure of its deep-sea habitat.
The blobfish faced stiff competition from its deep-sea rival, the orange roughy, known for its unique head featuring mucous canals. Kim Jones, co-director of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, described it as a "battle of the deep sea forget-me-nots." As voting intensified, a spirited campaign led by local radio hosts Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn brought momentum to the blobfish's cause, urging listeners to support the underdog and securing its unexpected win.
Reflecting on the blobfish's journey, Gandy and Flynn celebrated its victory by stating, “He has been bullied his whole life; it’s time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun.” The blobfish primarily feeds on mollusks, as well as crustaceans like crabs and lobsters and sea urchins, thriving in its unique, soft-bodied state devoid of traditional bones and scales.
Remarkably, nine of the ten contenders in this year’s contest are regarded as vulnerable by conservation advocates, highlighting the ongoing need for awareness and protection of marine biodiversity. New Zealand's dedication to conservation is further demonstrated by its parallel Bird of the Year contest, where the rare hoiho penguin was crowned last September.
