Top Painted Sweetlips Fishing Countries

The Painted Sweetlips (Diagramma pictum), known for its striking coloration and fleshy lips, is a reef-associated fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This species is popular in both commercial and artisanal fisheries due to its firm, white flesh and is commonly caught using handlines, traps, and nets. The top countries harvesting Painted Sweetlips include Indonesia, India, Thailand, and the Philippines, where it is sold fresh in local markets and sometimes exported. These nations have robust coastal fishing industries that target a variety of reef fish, with Painted Sweetlips being a valued catch both for local consumption and, to a lesser extent, international trade. Sustainable management is increasingly important in these regions to ensure the long-term viability of sweetlips populations, given their vulnerability to overfishing and habitat degradation.

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