Top Seaweeds Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Seaweeds, broadly categorized as marine macroalgae, are not fish but are an important aquatic resource harvested worldwide for food, industrial, and agricultural uses. The category "Seaweeds Not Elsewhere Included" refers to species not specifically listed under major commercial types like nori, kelp, or wakame, and encompasses a diverse range of edible and industrial seaweeds. The leading countries in harvesting these miscellaneous seaweeds are predominantly in East and Southeast Asia, with China, Indonesia, and the Philippines at the forefront due to their extensive coastlines and established aquaculture industries. These nations utilize both wild harvesting and large-scale seaweed farming, supplying global markets with raw materials for food products, thickening agents (like agar and carrageenan), fertilizers, and cosmetics. The seaweed industry in these countries provides significant employment and export revenue, with China consistently dominating global production, followed by Indonesia, which has rapidly expanded its seaweed sector in recent decades.

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