The longspine porgy (Stenotomus caprinus) is a small, silvery fish found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern coast of the United States. Known for its elongated dorsal fin spines, the longspine porgy inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms, often at moderate depths. Its commercial importance is relatively minor compared to other porgy species, but it is still harvested as part of mixed-species bottom trawl fisheries. The top countries involved in longspine porgy fishing are the United States and Mexico, with the majority of catches coming from the Gulf of Mexico region. In these countries, the longspine porgy is often caught incidentally alongside more commercially valuable species, and it is marketed locally, primarily for food. While not a major target for large-scale fisheries, the species contributes to the diversity and sustainability of regional fisheries in the Gulf and southeastern U.S. coastal waters.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.