Top Goatfishes Fishing Countries

Goatfishes (family Mullidae) are a group of colorful, bottom-dwelling marine fish known for their whisker-like barbels, which they use to probe sandy or muddy substrates for invertebrates and small fish. Prized for their delicate, white flesh, goatfishes are popular targets for commercial and artisanal fisheries, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The top goatfish fishing countries include Indonesia, India, Thailand, and the Philippines, where these fish are caught primarily using trawls, gillnets, and handlines. Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Turkey, and Egypt also have significant goatfish fisheries, especially for the red mullet (Mullus barbatus), a highly valued species in local cuisine. Goatfishes are typically landed fresh for local markets, but some are processed or exported, contributing to the livelihoods of coastal communities across the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.

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