Top Stingrays Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Stingrays, grouped under the category "Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) in global fisheries statistics, encompass various species of cartilaginous fish found in coastal and demersal habitats worldwide. These rays are typically harvested for their meat, skin (used in leather products), cartilage, and occasionally for aquarium trade. The leading countries fishing for NEI stingrays are predominantly located in Asia and Africa, with Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Malaysia among the top producers, owing to their extensive coastal fisheries and high seafood demand. In Africa, countries like Senegal and Ghana also contribute significantly, often through artisanal and small-scale fisheries. The stingray fishing industry is largely characterized by multi-species, small-scale operations, with catches often reported under broad categories due to the difficulty of species-level identification. Overfishing and habitat degradation have raised concerns for many stingray populations, prompting calls for improved management and reporting in major harvesting nations.

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