Upeneus moluccensis is sold fresh in markets as well as being utilized for fish meal and valued for its roe.[1] It is regarded as a "trash fish" by fishermen in the South China Sea because of its relatively small size.[2] The annual catch of goatfish at the fishing harbour of Visakhapatnam in India ranges between 2177 and 3463 tonnes, averaging 2859 tonnes, of which U. moluccensis makes up 18%.[6] In the Mediterranean U. moluccensis is now an important commercial species for trawl fisheries.[4]