Top Angelsharks, Sand Devils Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Angelsharks and sand devils, grouped under the family Squatinidae, are distinctive flat-bodied sharks resembling rays, found mainly in temperate and subtropical coastal waters. These bottom-dwelling predators are often caught as bycatch in trawl and gillnet fisheries, rather than being targeted directly. The top countries reporting catches of angelsharks and sand devils (often categorized as "not elsewhere included" in FAO statistics) include Spain, Morocco, Portugal, and Turkey, largely due to their proximity to the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, where these species are most abundant. Historically, these sharks have been valued for their meat, which is sold fresh or dried, but overfishing and habitat degradation have led to dramatic declines, prompting strict regulations and conservation efforts in several regions, especially in European waters. Today, commercial angelshark fisheries are minimal, with most legal catches occurring as incidental bycatch, and many countries now enforce catch limits or complete bans to protect these critically endangered species.

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