Top Siamese Crocodile Fishing Countries

The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is not a fish, but a critically endangered freshwater crocodilian native to Southeast Asia, particularly found in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Historically, this species was targeted for its skin and meat, leading to severe population declines due to overhunting and habitat loss. In the past, Thailand and Cambodia were the main countries involved in the harvesting and farming of Siamese crocodiles, primarily for the luxury leather industry and, to a lesser extent, for meat consumption. Today, wild harvesting is largely illegal due to the species’ protected status, and most trade comes from regulated crocodile farms, especially in Thailand, which is now a global leader in crocodile farming and export. Conservation efforts are ongoing to restore wild populations, and international trade is strictly regulated under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

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