Top Frigate And Bullet Tunas Fishing Countries

Frigate and bullet tunas (Auxis thazard and Auxis rochei) are small, fast-swimming members of the tuna family, typically found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. These species are important both as food fish and as bait for larger tuna fisheries. The top countries harvesting frigate and bullet tunas are predominantly in Asia, with Indonesia and the Philippines leading global catches, followed by countries such as India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. These nations rely on artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries, using purse seines, gillnets, and handlines to catch these tunas. The fish are consumed locally, exported for food, or used as bait in larger tuna fisheries, making them a vital resource for coastal economies and the broader tuna industry.

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