Top Cusk Eels, Brotulas Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Cusk eels and brotulas, grouped under the order Ophidiiformes, are elongated, bottom-dwelling fish found in deep and shallow marine waters worldwide. While not as commercially significant as other finfish, certain species—such as the Atlantic cusk eel (Genypterus blacodes) and related brotulas—are harvested for food, fishmeal, and bait. The primary fishing countries for cusk eels and brotulas include China, which leads global landings, followed by Indonesia, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian nations. These countries utilize both artisanal and industrial trawl fisheries to target these species, often as part of mixed-species catches. The catch is typically consumed locally or processed into surimi and other products, with limited export due to the fish’s relatively low profile in international markets.

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