Top Sea Chubs Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Sea chubs, classified under the family Kyphosidae, are medium-sized, herbivorous marine fish found in temperate and tropical coastal waters worldwide. Known for their robust bodies and grazing habits on algae-covered reefs, sea chubs are not typically targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries but are harvested in significant numbers in certain regions. The "Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) category in FAO statistics refers to sea chub catches that are not identified to the species level. The top countries harvesting NEI sea chubs are primarily in the Asia-Pacific region, with Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea leading the industry, followed by smaller contributions from Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Turkey. In these countries, sea chubs are caught using gillnets, traps, and handlines, and are valued both as food fish and for their role in local artisanal fisheries. While not as economically significant as other finfish, sea chubs support coastal livelihoods and contribute to the diversity of regional seafood markets.

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