Top Ballyhoo Halfbeak Fishing Countries

The ballyhoo halfbeak (Hemiramphus brasiliensis) is a slender, silvery fish recognized for its elongated lower jaw, commonly found in the warm coastal waters of the western Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Ballyhoo are highly prized as both baitfish in sportfishing—especially for targeting pelagic species like sailfish and mahi-mahi—and for local consumption in some regions. The primary countries engaged in ballyhoo fishing are the United States (notably Florida), Cuba, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean nations, where artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries harvest them using nets and traps. The U.S. is particularly prominent in the ballyhoo baitfish industry, supplying both domestic and international markets. While not a major global food fish, ballyhoo play a crucial role in supporting recreational and commercial fisheries throughout the tropical western Atlantic.

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