Top West African Croakers Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

West African croakers, often referred to as "croakers not elsewhere included" (NEI), are demersal fish species belonging to the Sciaenidae family, widely distributed along the West African coast from Morocco to Angola. These croakers are prized for their firm, white flesh and are a staple in local diets, supporting both artisanal and industrial fisheries. The top fishing countries for these species include Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritania. In these nations, croakers are caught using trawls, gillnets, and handlines, with much of the catch consumed locally or processed into dried, salted, or smoked products for regional trade. Overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are significant concerns in the region, prompting efforts to improve management and sustainability of croaker stocks. The croaker fishery is vital for food security, employment, and export earnings, making it a cornerstone of the West African coastal economy.

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