Top Marine Worms Fishing Countries

Marine worms, such as polychaetes (notably the ragworm and lugworm), are not fish but are highly valued in the fishing industry as bait for both commercial and recreational fisheries. These worms are harvested extensively from coastal mudflats and estuaries, with leading countries including South Korea, China, the United Kingdom, and France. South Korea and China dominate the global market, particularly with the export of live polychaetes for use in aquaculture and sport fishing. In Europe, the UK and France have long traditions of hand-raking and digging for marine worms, supplying both domestic and international bait markets. The industry is labor-intensive and often small-scale, but it plays a vital role in supporting local economies and the broader fishing sector, while also raising concerns about sustainable harvesting and ecosystem impacts.

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