Top Big Scale Sand Smelt Fishing Countries

The Big Scale Sand Smelt (*Atherina boyeri*) is a small, silvery fish found primarily in coastal and brackish waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and adjacent eastern Atlantic coasts. Valued for its delicate flavor, it is often caught for local consumption and as bait. The top countries engaged in Big Scale Sand Smelt fishing are Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Egypt, where traditional small-scale fisheries use seine nets and traps in lagoons, estuaries, and shallow coastal areas. These nations have a long history of harvesting sand smelt, both for fresh markets and for use in regional dishes. The fishery is typically artisanal, with catches peaking during warmer months when the fish gather in large schools close to shore. While not a major global commercial species, the Big Scale Sand Smelt holds significant cultural and economic importance in these Mediterranean and Black Sea countries.

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