Top Bullet Tuna Fishing Countries

The bullet tuna (Auxis rochei) is a small, fast-swimming pelagic fish found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, recognized for its slender, streamlined body and preference for surface waters. This species is targeted primarily by purse seine, gillnet, and pole-and-line fisheries, often as part of mixed catches with other small tunas. The top bullet tuna fishing countries include Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and several Mediterranean nations such as Italy and Turkey. In Southeast Asia, bullet tuna is an important component of local and artisanal fisheries, providing food security and livelihoods, while in the Mediterranean, it is caught both for local consumption and as bait in larger tuna fisheries. Though not as economically significant as larger tunas like skipjack or yellowfin, bullet tuna supports regional markets and plays a key ecological role in marine food webs.

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