The bigspined boarfish (Capros aper) is a small, deep-bodied marine fish characterized by its laterally compressed shape, spiny dorsal fin, and reddish coloration. Found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, this species inhabits depths ranging from 40 to 700 meters, often over rocky or muddy substrates. While not a major commercial target, the bigspined boarfish is caught as bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries, particularly by countries with active demersal fishing fleets such as Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy. These nations, with their extensive Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, are the primary harvesters of the bigspined boarfish, though the species is generally of minor economic importance and is often processed into fishmeal or used for local consumption. The fishing industry in these countries is highly regulated to manage bycatch and ensure the sustainability of more commercially valuable species, with the bigspined boarfish serving as an indicator of ecosystem health in trawl fisheries.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.