Crossword Genius

Jelly fish found behind area on a torn-up, low-quality paper (4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

agar-agar

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'jelly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'fish found behind area on a torn-up low-quality paper' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'fish' could be 'gar' (type of gar) and 'gar' is located in the answer.
'area' could be 'a' (maths abbreviation) and 'a' is located in the answer.
'a' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'gar' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for agar-agar that I've seen before include "Food thickener from seaweed" , "Jelly from seaweed" , "Thickener obtained from seaweed" , "Gelatinous thickening for food" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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