The Dealfish is regarded as scarce in Irish (and UK) inshore waters
(<200m), but is considered common in deeper offshore waters. I have
frequently observed it as a by-catch in mid-water trawls (500-600m)
targeting Blue Whiting (Micromesistus poutassou)off the W and NW
coast of Ireland.

Unusually, a specimen was captured last month by a trawler fishing at
a depth of only 50m off the Blasket Islands (SW Ireland)- Marine
Times (March 2007). Alan's specimen is certainly work recording
because of the species scarcity in inshore waters.

Nolan, F. & Quigley, D.T.G. (1987) Deal-fish Trachipterus arcticus
(Brunnich, 1788) in Irish waters: further records and a review of the
Irish records. Ir. Nat. J. 22: 188-189.

Quigley, D. T. G., Flannery, K. & Berrow, S. (1997) Fish Note: Deal-
Fish Trachipterus arcticus (Brunnich, 1771). Ir. Nat. J. 25: 458-459.

Quigley, D.T.G. & Flannery, K. (2005) Fish Notes: Deal-fish
Trachipterus arcticus (Brunnich, 1771) Ir. Nat. J. 28 (2): 80-82