Top Electric Rays Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Electric rays are a group of cartilaginous fishes known for their ability to generate electric shocks, which they use for defense and to stun prey. These bottom-dwelling rays are typically found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, with notable species such as the torpedo ray (Torpedo spp.) and the lesser electric ray (Narcine spp.). The commercial importance of electric rays is generally low compared to other rays and skates, but they are sometimes caught as bycatch in trawl and bottom-set net fisheries. The top "Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) fishing countries for electric rays, as categorized in FAO fisheries statistics, include nations like Iran, Pakistan, India, and several Mediterranean countries, where small-scale and artisanal fishers may land these rays incidentally. While electric rays are not typically targeted for their meat, they may be used locally for food or fishmeal, and in some regions, their unique electric organs have attracted scientific interest. The overall catch volumes remain modest, and the species is not a major focus of global fisheries, but monitoring is important to prevent overexploitation due to their slow reproductive rates.

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