Batoid fishes, a group that includes rays, skates, and their relatives, are cartilaginous fishes closely related to sharks. The term "Top Batoid Fishes Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) is used in fisheries statistics to encompass various batoid species that are not identified at the species level in catch reports. These fishes are typically harvested for their meat, cartilage, and sometimes their skins. Major fishing countries targeting NEI batoid fishes include Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and several West African nations, where they are often caught as bycatch in trawl and gillnet fisheries targeting other demersal species. The industry is largely artisanal in many regions, but industrial fleets also contribute significantly to the catch. Batoid populations are vulnerable to overfishing due to their slow growth and low reproductive rates, making sustainable management a challenge in countries where monitoring and species-level reporting are limited.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.