Top Asian Swamp Eel Fishing Countries

The Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) is a resilient, air-breathing freshwater fish native to East and Southeast Asia, thriving in rice paddies, swamps, and slow-moving waters. Valued for its mild flavor and adaptability, the swamp eel is both wild-caught and farmed, playing a significant role in local diets and traditional cuisines. The top countries harvesting Asian swamp eel are China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, where it is fished using traps, nets, and hand-collection methods, often as a bycatch in rice fields. China leads global production, with the eel being a staple in markets and aquaculture, while Thailand and Vietnam also export live eels to meet demand in East Asian markets. The fishing and farming of Asian swamp eel support rural livelihoods but also present challenges such as habitat loss and overexploitation in some regions.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.