Top Thresher Fishing Countries

The thresher shark, known for its distinctive long, whip-like tail used to stun prey, is a highly migratory pelagic species found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Thresher sharks are targeted both for their meat and valuable fins, as well as being a prized catch in sport fisheries due to their fighting ability. The top thresher fishing countries include Spain, Taiwan, Indonesia, the United States, and Japan, with Spain and Taiwan historically being among the largest commercial harvesters, particularly in longline fisheries. These countries operate in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, supplying international markets, especially for shark fins. However, overfishing and bycatch have led to significant population declines, prompting increased management efforts and catch restrictions in many regions to ensure the sustainability of thresher shark populations.

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