Top West African Goatfish Fishing Countries

The West African goatfish (*Pseudupeneus prayensis*) is a demersal fish species found along the Atlantic coast of West Africa, from Morocco to Angola. Recognizable by its elongated body and distinctive barbels, which it uses to forage for invertebrates on sandy and muddy sea bottoms, this species is an important resource for local fisheries. The top West African countries harvesting goatfish include Senegal, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria, where artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries target the species using trawls, gillnets, and handlines. Goatfish are valued both for local consumption and regional markets, contributing significantly to food security and livelihoods in coastal communities. However, concerns about overfishing and habitat degradation have prompted some countries to implement management measures to ensure the sustainability of goatfish stocks.

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