Top Indian Halibut Fishing Countries

The Indian halibut (Psettodes erumei), also known as the "blackspot halibut" or "Indo-Pacific halibut," is a demersal flatfish found in the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, spanning from the eastern coast of Africa to Southeast Asia. This species is prized for its firm, white flesh and is an important target for both artisanal and commercial fisheries. The top countries harvesting Indian halibut include India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, where the fish is caught using bottom trawls, gillnets, and traditional handlines. In India, particularly along the western coast (Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Kerala), Indian halibut is a valuable catch, contributing to local livelihoods and export markets. Indonesia and Thailand also have significant landings, with the species supporting both domestic consumption and regional trade. Sustainable management is increasingly important in these regions due to concerns over overfishing and habitat degradation affecting halibut stocks.

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