Red hydrocorals, classified under the family Stylasteridae, are not true corals but hydrozoans that form hard, calcareous skeletons and are often harvested for ornamental and jewelry purposes rather than for food. The category "Top Red Hydrocorals Not Elsewhere Included" in fisheries statistics refers to the collection of various red hydrocoral species not specifically itemized elsewhere. The primary countries involved in harvesting these hydrocorals include Japan, Taiwan, and Italy, with smaller contributions from Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific nations. The industry is relatively niche and regulated due to the ecological sensitivity and slow growth of hydrocoral species, with much of the harvest occurring through targeted diving or bycatch in deep-sea trawling. International trade is monitored to prevent overexploitation, as red hydrocorals are valued for their vivid color and use in luxury goods, making sustainable management a priority for the leading harvesting countries.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.