The category "Argentines Not Elsewhere Included" refers to a group of small, silvery fish species within the family Argentinidae, commonly known as argentines or herring smelts. These deep-sea fish are found in temperate and cold waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The main countries harvesting these species are Argentina, Spain, and Portugal, with smaller contributions from countries such as France and Chile. The fishing industry for argentines is relatively modest compared to major commercial species, but they are valued for their use as food fish, in fishmeal production, and occasionally as bait. Fisheries targeting argentines typically employ midwater trawls, and landings are often reported under the "not elsewhere included" (nei) category due to difficulties in species-level identification. The sustainability of these fisheries varies by region, with some stocks subject to monitoring and management, particularly in the Southwest Atlantic where Argentina is the primary harvester.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 35 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.