The Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as redfish or channel bass, is a popular game and commercial fish native to the western Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern coast of the United States. Renowned for its distinctive copper-bronze coloration and a characteristic black spot near the tail, the red drum thrives in estuarine and nearshore waters. The United States is the leading country in both recreational and commercial red drum fishing, with states like Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina being major hotspots due to their extensive coastal habitats. Mexico also supports a significant red drum fishery, particularly along its Gulf coast. While wild harvests are tightly regulated in the U.S. to ensure sustainability, aquaculture of red drum has expanded in countries such as China and Vietnam, where the species is farmed for both domestic consumption and export. The combination of wild and farmed production makes red drum an important species in the global seafood market, with the U.S. and China standing out as the top red drum fishing and producing countries.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 109 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.