Toadfishes and related species classified as "not elsewhere included" (NEI) in global fisheries statistics are a diverse group of benthic, often bottom-dwelling fishes found in tropical and temperate coastal waters. Characterized by their broad, flattened heads and ability to produce distinctive croaking or grunting sounds, toadfishes (family Batrachoididae) are not typically targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries but are caught incidentally or for local consumption. The leading countries harvesting these NEI toadfishes include China, India, and several Southeast Asian nations, where they are often landed as part of mixed-species trawl or artisanal catches. In these regions, toadfishes may be consumed locally, used as bait, or processed into fishmeal. While not a major export commodity, their capture reflects the broad utilization of marine resources in coastal communities, particularly where fishing is multi-species and small-scale in nature.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 3 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.