Mesopelagic fishes distributed in the upper aphotic
zone beyond 200 m depth range are seldom encountered
in commercial landings. Exploratory surveys
have shown that they are available in plenty in the 200
to 600 m depth range in the Indian EEZ. In
spite of the fact that they have a nutritive value at par
with the quality fishes, these fishes are not popular as
food because of their non-accessibility to commercial
fishery. Nevertheless, on 28-8-1995, a large quantity
of the mesopelagic fish, Chlorophthalmus agassizi
Bonaparte was landed by the commercial trawlers at
Cochin Fisheries Harbou
