Top Cnidarians Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

"Top Cnidarians Not Elsewhere Included" refers to a category in fisheries statistics that encompasses various jellyfish and similar gelatinous marine animals within the phylum Cnidaria, excluding more commonly tracked species. Jellyfish, the most prominent members of this group, are harvested primarily for food, particularly in East and Southeast Asia where they are considered a delicacy and used in salads and other dishes. The leading countries in the commercial harvest of these cnidarians are China, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with China dominating global production both for domestic consumption and export. The industry involves specialized fishing methods, such as scoop nets and trawls, and often supports coastal communities. In recent years, the demand for jellyfish has grown, both as a food source and for biomedical applications, leading to increased attention on sustainable management and the ecological impacts of large-scale jellyfish fishing.

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