Top Boarfishes Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Boarfishes, a group of deep-bodied, laterally compressed marine fish primarily from the family Caproidae, are known for their distinctive snouts and bright coloration. These species are generally found in deep offshore waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. While not as widely targeted as more commercially valuable species, boarfishes are caught as part of mixed deep-sea trawl fisheries. The leading countries harvesting boarfishes classified as "not elsewhere included" (NEI) in global fisheries statistics are Portugal, Spain, and New Zealand. In these nations, boarfishes are often landed as bycatch in deepwater trawl fisheries targeting species like alfonsino and orange roughy. Although the global catch volumes are modest compared to major commercial fish, boarfishes are valued in local markets for their firm, white flesh and are sometimes exported. The fishing industry for boarfishes is closely monitored due to concerns about the vulnerability of deep-sea species to overfishing, prompting efforts to manage catches sustainably in these key fishing nations.

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