Top Pacific Thread Herring Fishing Countries

The Pacific thread herring (Opisthonema libertate) is a small, schooling pelagic fish found primarily in the warm coastal waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, from southern California to Peru. Recognized for its slender, silver body and distinctive thread-like extension on the last dorsal fin ray, this species plays a vital role in both marine ecosystems and regional fisheries. The largest harvests of Pacific thread herring occur off the coasts of Mexico and Peru, where it is a key target for commercial purse seine fleets. In these countries, the fish is primarily used for fishmeal production, animal feed, and as bait in tuna fisheries, though it is also consumed locally. Mexico, with its productive Pacific coastline, is the leading harvester, followed closely by Peru, where the species supplements the country’s massive anchoveta fishery. Smaller catches are also reported from Ecuador and Central American nations, reflecting the species’ broad distribution and economic importance to the region’s fishing industries.

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