Top Dusky Spinefoot Fishing Countries

The Dusky Spinefoot (Siganus luridus) is a herbivorous, reef-associated rabbitfish native to the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, but it has also invaded the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Recognizable by its dusky coloration and venomous dorsal spines, this species is valued for its mild-flavored flesh and is commonly targeted by small-scale and artisanal fisheries. The top fishing countries for Dusky Spinefoot include Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, and Lebanon, where it is both consumed locally and sold in regional markets. In these countries, the Dusky Spinefoot has become increasingly important, especially in the Mediterranean, where its populations have thrived due to warmer waters and reduced predation, making it a significant component of coastal fisheries and a notable example of a Lessepsian migrant species shaping local fishing industries.

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