Top Banded Murex Fishing Countries

The Top Banded Murex (Hexaplex trunculus), also known as the banded dye-murex, is a species of predatory sea snail found primarily in the Mediterranean Sea and along the Atlantic coasts of southern Europe and North Africa. Historically renowned for its role in producing Tyrian purple dye, the Top Banded Murex is now harvested mainly for its edible flesh and as a collectible shell. The leading countries engaged in the fishing and harvesting of this species are Greece, Italy, Spain, and Tunisia, where artisanal fisheries target the murex using traps and by hand gathering in shallow coastal waters. While the commercial scale is modest compared to other marine resources, the species remains locally important for both culinary and traditional purposes, with regulations in place in some regions to ensure sustainable harvesting.

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