Top Spotted Eagle Ray Fishing Countries

The spotted eagle ray (*Aetobatus narinari*) is a striking cartilaginous fish recognized by its flattened body, long whip-like tail, and distinctive white spots on a dark dorsal surface. Found in warm coastal waters worldwide, especially in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, this species is valued both for its meat and as a bycatch in commercial fisheries. The top countries involved in the harvest of spotted eagle rays include Indonesia, India, Mexico, and some West African nations, where artisanal and small-scale fisheries target rays for local consumption and export. However, due to their slow reproductive rates and vulnerability to overfishing, many populations are in decline, prompting conservation concerns and, in some regions, new regulations to limit their capture and trade.

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