Bloodworms are not actually fish, but rather the aquatic larvae of the midge fly (family Chironomidae), prized as live bait in recreational fishing and as a high-protein feed in aquaculture. These bright red worms thrive in muddy, brackish coastal waters and estuaries, where they are harvested commercially. The top bloodworm fishing countries include the United States (particularly the state of Maine), Canada, and several European nations such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Denmark. In these regions, bloodworm harvesting is a specialized industry, with diggers using rakes or dredges to collect worms from tidal mudflats. The harvested bloodworms are then exported globally, especially to markets in Asia and Europe, supporting both local economies and the global fishing and aquaculture industries.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 104 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.