Top Sand Tilefish Fishing Countries

The sand tilefish (Malacanthus plumieri), known for its elongated body, vibrant blue and yellow hues, and burrowing behavior in sandy or rubble seabeds, is a prized species in commercial and artisanal fisheries. This demersal fish inhabits the western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda down to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The top sand tilefish fishing countries are the United States (particularly Florida and the Gulf Coast), Cuba, the Bahamas, and several Caribbean nations, where the species is caught primarily with hook-and-line or traps. In the U.S., sand tilefish support a regulated commercial fishery, with catch quotas and seasonal closures to ensure sustainability, while in the Caribbean and South America, they are often landed by small-scale fishers for local consumption. The sand tilefish is valued both for its delicate, mild-flavored flesh and as a component of mixed-species reef fisheries, contributing to the livelihoods of coastal communities throughout its range.

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