Top Law Croaker Fishing Countries

The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea), often referred to as "law croaker," is a commercially valuable marine fish native to the northwest Pacific, particularly the coastal waters of China, Korea, and Japan. This species is prized for its firm, flavorful flesh and is a staple in East Asian cuisine. China dominates the global harvest of large yellow croaker, both through wild capture and, increasingly, aquaculture, making it the leading producer by a wide margin. South Korea also maintains a significant croaker fishing industry, though on a smaller scale, while Japan’s catch has declined due to overfishing and habitat loss. The fishing industry for this species has faced challenges such as overexploitation and population declines, prompting China to invest heavily in aquaculture to meet demand and support the sustainability of wild stocks.

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