The Top Knout Goby (*Mesogobius batrachocephalus*) is a benthic fish species native to the brackish and coastal waters of the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Caspian Sea. Recognizable by its broad, flattened head and mottled coloration, this goby is an important component of local ecosystems and small-scale fisheries. The primary countries involved in harvesting the Top Knout Goby are Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, where the species is caught mainly by artisanal and small commercial fisheries using nets and traps. While not a major target of large-scale commercial fishing, the Top Knout Goby is valued locally for food and as bait for larger fish, contributing to the livelihoods of fishing communities along the northern and western Black Sea coasts. Conservation and management efforts are in place in some regions to ensure sustainable harvests, as habitat changes and overfishing have impacted goby populations in recent decades.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romania | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.