Top Black Cusk Eel Fishing Countries

The black cusk eel (*Ophidion mouchezi*) is a deep-sea fish species found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the coasts of West Africa and parts of the Mediterranean. Characterized by its elongated body and dark coloration, the black cusk eel inhabits muddy or sandy bottoms at considerable depths. While not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries, it is occasionally caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries targeting other demersal species. The main countries known to harvest black cusk eel, either intentionally or as bycatch, include Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, due to their active deep-sea fishing fleets operating in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. These countries have established fishing industries that exploit a variety of deep-water species, with the black cusk eel contributing modestly to local markets and sometimes exported for niche culinary uses.

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