Top Moonfish Fishing Countries

Moonfish, commonly known as opah (Lampris spp.), are large, colorful pelagic fish found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Renowned for their distinctive round bodies and vibrant hues, opah are prized for their rich, flavorful flesh and are increasingly sought after in gourmet seafood markets. The top moonfish fishing countries include the United States (particularly Hawaii and the West Coast), New Zealand, and Taiwan, with smaller catches reported from Indonesia and Portugal. The U.S. leads global opah landings, primarily as bycatch in longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish. New Zealand and Taiwan also harvest moonfish as bycatch, with their fisheries contributing significantly to regional markets. While moonfish are not the primary target of most commercial fisheries, their growing culinary popularity has led to increased interest and value in the global seafood industry.

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