The ringeye conger (Conger japonicus), also known as the Japanese conger, is a species of marine eel found primarily in the northwest Pacific Ocean, particularly around Japan, Korea, and China. This eel is highly valued in East Asian cuisine, especially in Japan where it is known as "anago" and features prominently in sushi and tempura dishes. The top ringeye conger fishing countries are Japan, South Korea, and China, with Japan leading both in capture volume and in the development of aquaculture techniques for this species. The fishing industry for ringeye conger is characterized by both wild capture—using longlines and traps in coastal waters—and increasing aquaculture production to meet high demand. These countries have established robust supply chains and markets for ringeye conger, making it an economically important species in the region’s seafood industry.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecuador | 33 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.