PREVIEW

The blobfish - once labelled the world's ugliest animal - has scored a sensational victory in New Zealand’s Fish of the Year competition.

The annual competition, held by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, aims to raise awareness of New Zealand's freshwater and marine life.

This year, known for its soft, lumpy appearance, the blobfish claimed the coveted accolade with nearly 1,300 out of more than 5,500 votes cast.

It is an underdog victory for the blobfish, which rose to prominence as the mascot for the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in 2013.

The gelatinous fish lives on the seabed and grows to about 12in (30cm) in length. It is mainly found off the coast of Australia and Tasmania, dwelling at depths of 2,000-4,000 ft (600-1,200m).

While the blobfish is known for its misshapen silhouette, in its natural deep-sea habitat it actually resembles a regular fish, with its shape maintained by the high water pressure.

However, when caught and rapidly brought to the water's surface, its body deforms into its hallmark mushy shape – the same one that has earned it a reputation as one of the world's ugliest creatures.

Coming in second place was the orange roughy, a deep-sea fish in the slimehead family – known for the mucous canals on their heads.

The orange roughy had appeared on track to win until a pair of local radio station hosts launched a passionate campaign for the blobfish.

"There is an up-and-coming fish, it needs your vote," Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn, hosts of local radio network More FM, urged listeners on their show last week. "We need the blobfish to win."

Celebrating the blobfish’s victory they said they “couldn’t be more proud” of their selection’s “underdog” victory.

The blobfish came from behind to win, rising up the rankings from sixth to triumph over pacesetter the orange roughy.

News of the blobfish's victory was celebrated by the radio hosts, who have dubbed it “the people’s fish” after its win.

While dwelling on the ocean floor, the blobfish eats molluscs, crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters, as well as sea urchins.

Nine of the ten nominees for Fish of the Year are considered vulnerable by conservation groups, according to the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. This includes the blobfish, which faces threats from deep-sea trawling.
New Zealand also has a Bird of the Year contest, organised by conservation organisation Forest & Bird. The most recent winner, crowned last September, was the hoiho, a rare penguin species.