Top Pigeye Shark Fishing Countries

The pigeye shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis) is a large, robust requiem shark found primarily in the warm coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific, especially around northern Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Africa. This species is often confused with the bull shark due to their similar appearance and habitat preferences, favoring shallow, muddy bays and estuaries. Pigeye sharks are not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries, but they are caught as bycatch in gillnet, longline, and trawl fisheries, particularly in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Australia is considered one of the top countries involved in pigeye shark fishing, both for local consumption and export, while Indonesia and Papua New Guinea also contribute significantly due to their extensive coastal fisheries. However, due to their relatively slow reproductive rate and vulnerability to overfishing, pigeye sharks are considered Near Threatened by the IUCN, and some countries have implemented management measures to protect their populations.

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