The Rugose Bonnet (Emmelichthys nitidus), also known as the Redbait, is a small, schooling pelagic fish found primarily in temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Recognized for its reddish coloration and distinctive bony head structure, the Rugose Bonnet is an important species for commercial fisheries, especially in South Africa and New Zealand, where it is harvested both for human consumption and as bait in larger fisheries. South Africa is the leading country in the exploitation of this species, with significant landings in the Western Cape region, followed by New Zealand, where the fish is commonly caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries targeting other species. Australia also participates in the harvest, though to a lesser extent. The Rugose Bonnet supports local economies and is valued for its role in the food web, but careful management is necessary to ensure sustainable exploitation due to its tendency to form dense, easily targeted schools.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.