The Silver Rag Driftfish (Emmelichthys nitidus), also known as the redbait, is a small, schooling pelagic fish found primarily in the temperate and subtropical waters of the southern hemisphere, particularly around the southern coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. This species is recognized for its silvery body and is an important target for commercial fisheries due to its abundance and role as both a food fish and bait for larger species. The top countries involved in harvesting Silver Rag Driftfish are Australia and New Zealand, where well-managed fisheries utilize midwater trawling techniques to target dense schools, with the catch mainly processed for local consumption, export, and as bait in tuna fisheries. South Africa also has a notable fishery for this species, particularly around the Cape region, where it is valued both commercially and recreationally. These countries have developed sustainable management practices to ensure the long-term viability of Silver Rag Driftfish stocks, given their ecological importance in marine food webs.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.