The Sattar Snowtrout, belonging to the genus Schizothorax, is a cold-water fish species native to the high-altitude rivers and lakes of Central and South Asia, particularly in the Himalayan region. Renowned for its adaptability to fast-flowing, oxygen-rich waters, the Sattar Snowtrout is prized both as a food source and a sport fish. The top countries engaged in harvesting this species include India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and China, especially in the provinces and states bordering the Himalayas such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. These countries have established small-scale commercial and subsistence fisheries, with local communities relying on snowtrout as a staple protein source. In recent years, the fishing industry has also seen growth in recreational angling tourism, particularly in Nepal and northern India, where the snowtrout’s fighting spirit attracts anglers from around the world. Conservation efforts are increasingly important as habitat degradation and overfishing threaten natural populations.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.