Top Goatfishes, Red Mullets Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Goatfishes and red mullets, grouped under the family Mullidae, are prized for their delicate, flavorful flesh and are commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. These bottom-dwelling fish are easily recognized by their distinctive chin barbels, which they use to probe the sand for small invertebrates. The primary species targeted in commercial fisheries include the red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and the striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, as well as various Upeneus and Parupeneus species in the Indo-Pacific. The top countries harvesting these species are typically those bordering the Mediterranean Sea—such as Turkey, Italy, Greece, and Egypt—along with India, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian nations where goatfish are caught both by artisanal and industrial fleets. These fisheries are important for local economies and cuisine, with catches often sold fresh in local markets or exported to meet international demand for high-quality seafood.

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