Top Madamango Sea Catfish Fishing Countries

The Madamango sea catfish (*Cathorops spixii*) is a coastal catfish species found primarily in the western Atlantic, ranging from Venezuela to southern Brazil. Recognizable by its elongated body, barbels, and silvery coloration, this species inhabits estuaries and shallow coastal waters, where it plays an important ecological and economic role. The primary countries engaged in the commercial and artisanal harvest of Madamango sea catfish are Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana, with Brazil leading in total catch due to its extensive coastline and well-developed small-scale fisheries. In these countries, the fish is valued both for local consumption and as a source of income for coastal communities. The fishery is typically small-scale, using gillnets and handlines, and while not as globally prominent as some other catfish species, the Madamango sea catfish supports important regional fisheries along the South American Atlantic coast.

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