Top Smoothmouth Sea Catfish Fishing Countries

The Top Smoothmouth Sea Catfish (*Arius maculatus*), also known as the spotted sea catfish, is a demersal, brackish and marine fish found primarily in the coastal waters and estuaries of the Indo-West Pacific region. Characterized by its smooth head, spotted body, and long barbels, this species is commonly targeted in artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries. The leading countries harvesting the Top Smoothmouth Sea Catfish are India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, where it is valued for both local consumption and regional markets. In these countries, the fish is caught using gillnets, trawls, and handlines, often as part of mixed-species catches in estuarine and nearshore environments. The fishery supports coastal livelihoods and contributes to the local seafood supply, although it is generally less prominent in global trade compared to other catfish species.

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