Top Bearded Brotula Fishing Countries

The Bearded Brotula (Brotula barbata), also known as the Atlantic Bearded Brotula, is a bottom-dwelling, eel-like fish found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the coasts of the Americas and West Africa. Characterized by its elongated body and distinctive chin barbels, this species typically inhabits rocky or muddy substrates at depths ranging from shallow coastal waters to about 650 meters. While not a primary target of large-scale commercial fisheries, the Bearded Brotula is often caught as bycatch in trawl and bottom longline fisheries. The leading countries involved in harvesting this species include Brazil, Venezuela, and other Caribbean nations, as well as some West African countries such as Senegal. In these regions, the fish is valued locally for its mild-flavored flesh and is sold fresh or salted in local markets, contributing modestly to the artisanal and small-scale fishing industries.

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