Top Maracaibo Leatherjacket Fishing Countries

The Maracaibo leatherjacket (Oligoplites palometa), a slender, silvery fish known for its tough, leathery skin, is native to the western Atlantic, particularly the coastal and brackish waters of northern South America. This species is especially prominent in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, from which it gets its common name. Venezuela is by far the leading country in the commercial harvest of the Maracaibo leatherjacket, where it forms an important part of local artisanal and small-scale fisheries, providing both food and income for communities around the lake. Colombia also reports smaller catches along its Caribbean coast, but the species is much less significant there compared to Venezuela. The fish is typically caught using gillnets and is valued locally for its firm flesh, though it has limited export markets due to its regional popularity and the specificity of its habitat. The Maracaibo leatherjacket fishery is a reflection of the broader fishing traditions in the region, relying heavily on local knowledge and traditional methods.

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