Top Nurse Shark Fishing Countries

The nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling species found primarily in warm, shallow waters of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Recognizable by its broad head, barbels, and docile nature, the nurse shark is targeted mainly for its meat, skin, and liver oil. The top countries involved in nurse shark fishing are typically those with extensive tropical coastlines and established small-scale fisheries, such as Mexico, Brazil, and several Caribbean nations like the Bahamas and Cuba. In these regions, nurse sharks are often caught as bycatch in artisanal and commercial fisheries targeting other species, but they are also directly harvested due to local demand. Overfishing and habitat degradation have led to significant declines in nurse shark populations in some areas, prompting increased conservation measures and fishing regulations in certain countries to ensure the sustainability of this unique species.

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