Context Knowledge on movement patterns within marine fish populations are essential for understanding key aspects of their biology, distribution and stock structure. Many deep-sea fish species possess complex life-history patterns with distributions occurring across vast areas. The nature of connectivity at different life-history stages in a dynamic Patagonian toothfish population on the Patagonian Shelf, Slope and deep-sea plateau around the Falkland Islands remains speculative. Aims We aimed to elucidate the movement patterns as well as the extent that these are driving connectivity during the adult life-history stages of Patagonian toothfish in the region. Methods A 5+-year tag–recapture program was executed and data were analysed using generalised additive models. Key results The majority of individuals (77.59%) displayed high site fidelity (<50 km), suggesting that seasonal spawning migrations are uncommon. However, 9.91% of individuals undertook large-distance movements across oceanographic and physical boundaries. These were characterised by large (>120 cm) fish inhabiting the slope and deep-sea plains (north of 52°S) undertaking southward (direction = 150–240°) home-range relocations to spawning areas. Conclusions and implications The results provide compelling evidence to a single Patagonian toothfish metapopulation, with important considerations in terms of the spawning stock dynamics, and the development of regional management agreements across their Patagonian distribution.