Top Argentines Fishing Countries

The Argentine, also known as the "Argentina" or "silver smelt" (genus *Argentina*), is a small, silvery fish found primarily in the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic and parts of the Mediterranean. Prized for its delicate flesh and often used in fishmeal and as food for humans, the Argentine is an important species for several commercial fisheries. The top countries harvesting Argentine include Spain, Portugal, and France, whose fleets operate in the Northeast Atlantic, particularly on the continental slopes off the Iberian Peninsula and the Bay of Biscay. These nations have developed specialized trawl fisheries targeting Argentine, with Spain historically being the leading harvester. The fishing industry for Argentine is regulated by quotas and management measures to prevent overexploitation, as the species is vulnerable to overfishing due to its deep-water habitat and slow growth rates.

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