Top Pelagic Percomorphs Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Top pelagic percomorphs not elsewhere included (NEI) refer to a diverse group of midwater-dwelling fish within the order Perciformes that are not classified under more specific commercial categories, often including species such as jack mackerels, scads, and horse mackerels. These fish are valued for their abundance, rapid growth, and importance in both human consumption and as feed in aquaculture. The leading fishing countries for this NEI group are Peru, Chile, and Japan, which operate large-scale purse seine and trawl fisheries, particularly in the productive upwelling zones of the Pacific Ocean. These nations have developed robust fishing industries targeting pelagic percomorphs, supplying both domestic markets and international exports, and play a significant role in global fishmeal and oil production. The management of these fisheries is critical due to their ecological importance and the potential for overexploitation, prompting international cooperation and quota systems in some regions.

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