The Thumbprint Emperor (Lethrinus harak) is a medium-sized reef fish recognizable by its oval body and distinctive dark spot on its side, resembling a thumbprint. This species inhabits coral reefs and coastal areas throughout the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea to the western Pacific islands. The Thumbprint Emperor is valued both as a food fish and for artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries. The top countries harvesting this species include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea, where it is caught using handlines, nets, and traps. These nations rely on the Thumbprint Emperor as part of their diverse reef fishery sectors, supporting local diets and economies, with much of the catch consumed domestically and a smaller portion entering regional markets. Sustainable management is increasingly important as reef fish populations face pressure from overfishing and habitat degradation in these areas.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Arabia | 12 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.