Top Atlantic Saury Fishing Countries

The Atlantic saury (Scomberesox saurus) is a slender, schooling pelagic fish found in the temperate waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, recognized for its elongated body and beak-like jaws. While it is not as commercially significant as its Pacific relative, the Pacific saury, the Atlantic saury supports modest fisheries, particularly in European waters. The primary countries involved in harvesting Atlantic saury are Portugal, Spain, and France, where the species is caught mainly as bycatch in pelagic trawl and purse seine fisheries targeting other small pelagic fish like mackerel and sardines. The catch is typically used for human consumption, bait, or fishmeal. Although the overall catch volume is relatively low compared to other pelagic species, Atlantic saury remains an important seasonal resource for local fishing communities along the northeastern Atlantic coasts.

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