A blobfish, once named the world’s ugliest animal, has now been crowned New Zealand’s “Fish of the Year.”
The annual competition, organised by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, aims to raise awareness about the country’s diverse marine life and fragile ecosystems. The blobfish won after receiving the most votes in an online poll that ran for just over two weeks, closing on March 16.
Blobfish, which grow to about 30 centimetres long, live deep underwater off the coasts of southeastern Australia and Tasmania. According to experts, they have pale, jelly-like flesh, loose skin, a large nose, and small, staring eyes. While they may look unusual, they play an important role in their ecosystem.
This year’s competition gathered 5,583 votes in total. The blobfish won by nearly 300 votes, narrowly beating the orange roughy. The support of New Zealand radio station More FM helped push the blobfish to victory. Hosts Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn encouraged listeners to vote, saying the blobfish had been “bullied” for too long and deserved its moment of recognition.
Kim Jones, co-director of the trust, described it as a close contest between two deep-sea creatures. She also reminded voters that many native fish species are at risk due to climate change and environmental changes. The competition helps people learn more about these unique fish and why they need protection.
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