Top Milk Shark Fishing Countries

The milk shark (*Rhizoprionodon acutus*) is a slender, small coastal shark found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and eastern Atlantic, recognized for its smooth gray body and reaching lengths of up to about 1.7 meters. This species is commonly caught in artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries, primarily using gillnets, longlines, and trawls. The top milk shark fishing countries include India, Pakistan, Iran, and several Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia and Thailand, where the species is valued for its meat, fins, and liver oil. In India and Pakistan, milk sharks are a significant component of coastal shark landings, supporting local economies and food security. However, heavy fishing pressure in these regions has raised concerns about overexploitation, as the species’ populations are vulnerable to decline due to their relatively slow reproductive rates.

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