The Top Winghead Shark (*Eusphyra blochii*) is a distinctive member of the hammerhead family, recognized by its exceptionally wide, wing-like head. This coastal species inhabits shallow tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Persian Gulf to northern Australia and Southeast Asia. The Top Winghead Shark is primarily targeted as bycatch in small-scale coastal fisheries, using gillnets and trawls, rather than through dedicated industrial fisheries. Major fishing countries include India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, where the species is harvested for its meat, fins, and sometimes liver oil. Due to intense fishing pressure and habitat degradation in these regions, populations have declined significantly, leading to its classification as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The ongoing exploitation in these top fishing countries underscores the urgent need for improved management and conservation measures.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 13 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.