Jacks, particularly those grouped under "Crevalles Not Elsewhere Included" (often referring to various species in the Carangidae family such as the crevalle jack, Caranx hippos), are robust, predatory fish found in warm coastal waters worldwide. These species are prized both as game fish and for commercial purposes due to their abundance and fighting spirit. The leading countries harvesting these jacks include Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and several West African nations, where they are caught using a variety of methods such as trawling, gillnetting, and artisanal fishing. The fish are marketed fresh, salted, or dried and are an important protein source in local diets. While not as globally prominent as tuna or mackerel, the jack fisheries play a significant role in the economies of tropical and subtropical coastal communities, supporting both small-scale fishers and larger commercial operations.
Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
---|---|---|
1 | India | 141,149 |
2 | Oman | 73,816 |
3 | Indonesia | 51,166 |
4 | Mexico | 12,351 |
5 | Brazil | 5,650 |
6 | Guinea | 3,945 |
7 | Guinea-Bissau | 3,735 |
8 | Benin | 3,410 |
9 | Yemen | 2,745 |
10 | Sierra Leone | 2,030 |
11 | Côte d'Ivoire | 1,960 |
12 | Pakistan | 1,815 |
13 | Cameroon | 1,485 |
14 | Dominican Republic | 495 |
15 | Sao Tome and Principe | 391 |
16 | Fiji | 390 |
17 | Nigeria | 376 |
18 | Gambia | 275 |
19 | Kiribati | 270 |
20 | Trinidad and Tobago | 254 |
21 | Congo | 220 |
22 | Greece | 90 |
23 | Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) | 85 |
24 | Colombia | 50 |
25 | Brunei Darussalam | 30 |
25 | Gabon | 30 |
27 | British Virgin Islands | 25 |
28 | Syrian Arab Republic | 20 |
29 | United States of America | 17 |
30 | Lithuania | 15 |
31 | Bermuda | 14 |
32 | Cuba | 13 |
33 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 8 |
34 | Singapore | 4 |
35 | Portugal | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.