In brief
The blobfish, once declared the "world's ugliest animal," has achieved an unexpected victory in New Zealand by being named Fish of the Year, an honor given by the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust to promote awareness of local marine species.
The blobfish garnered nearly 1,300 votes out of over 5,500, showing strong public support for this deep-sea creature, previously highlighted as a mascot for the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in 2013. Living at depths of 2,000-4,000 feet off Australia's coast, the blobfish appears to distort into a lumpy shape when brought to the surface, a stark contrast to its natural form caused by high water pressure. In a friendly competition, the blobfish faced off against the orange roughy, another deep-sea fish known for its unique appearance. Co-director of the organization Kim Jones referred to it as a "battle of the deep sea forget-me-nots." Local radio hosts Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn rallied listeners to support the blobfish, adding to its visibility. Their excitement over the blobfish's win was reflected in their announcement: "It’s time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun.” In addition to mollusks, the blobfish also feeds on crustaceans and sea urchins. It's worth noting that nine out of the ten nominees were considered vulnerable by conservation groups, including the blobfish, which faces threats from deep-sea trawling. Meanwhile, New Zealand continues to celebrate its biodiversity through competitions like the Bird of the Year, recently won by the rare hoiho penguin.
