Top Paraguayan Caiman Fishing Countries

The Paraguayan caiman (Caiman yacare), also known as the yacare caiman, is not a fish but a reptile native to central South America, particularly thriving in the wetlands and river systems of Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. Historically, the yacare caiman was heavily hunted for its valuable skin, which was sought after by the international leather industry, especially from the 1950s through the 1980s. Brazil and Paraguay were among the top countries involved in the commercial harvest of caiman, with significant exports of caiman skins to Europe and North America. Overexploitation led to severe population declines, prompting stricter regulations and conservation efforts in recent decades. Today, caiman harvesting is tightly controlled, with some countries allowing regulated, sustainable use programs, while others have banned commercial hunting entirely to protect wild populations.

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