Top Giant Kelps Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is not a fish, but rather a large, fast-growing brown seaweed found in temperate coastal waters, most notably along the Pacific coasts of North and South America, Australia, and parts of Asia. It forms dense underwater forests that provide critical habitats for marine life. The "Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) category in fisheries statistics refers to catches of giant kelp that are not specified by country or are grouped together due to small-scale or less-documented harvesting. Major countries involved in the commercial harvesting of giant kelp include the United States (especially California), Chile, and Australia, where it is primarily collected for use in food additives (such as alginates), fertilizers, animal feed, and even biofuel research. The industry is relatively niche and highly regulated to ensure sustainability, as giant kelp forests are ecologically important. While some other countries may harvest giant kelp on a smaller scale, the NEI category reflects the global but often underreported nature of this unique marine resource in international fisheries data.

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