Suckerfishes, commonly known as remoras (family Echeneidae), are distinctive marine fish recognized for the suction disc on top of their heads, which allows them to attach to larger marine animals like sharks, rays, and turtles. These fish are generally not targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries, but they are occasionally caught as bycatch or for local consumption in some regions. The primary countries known to harvest remoras, albeit in small quantities, include India, Indonesia, and various West African nations, where they may be used as food or even as live bait in traditional fishing practices. The global fishing industry for remoras is minimal compared to other fish species, and their economic impact is limited, with most catches being incidental rather than the result of targeted fisheries.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.