The Kelee shad (Hilsa kelee), also known as the kelee herring, is a small, silvery pelagic fish found in coastal waters and estuaries of the Indo-Pacific region. Renowned for its commercial importance, the Kelee shad is harvested primarily by countries bordering the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, with India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar being the top fishing nations. These countries have well-established artisanal and commercial fisheries targeting the Kelee shad, which is valued for its taste and nutritional content. While not as famous as the closely related Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), the Kelee shad supports local economies and provides a vital protein source for coastal communities. The fishing industry for this species typically employs gillnets and small-scale trawling, and the catch is consumed fresh, dried, or salted, contributing significantly to the livelihoods of thousands of fishers in the region.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malaysia | 213 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.