The black sole, also known as the common sole (Solea solea), is a highly prized flatfish found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Renowned for its delicate, mild flavor and firm texture, black sole is a staple in European cuisine, especially in France, Italy, and Spain. The leading countries in black sole fishing are the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain, where well-established fishing fleets target this species using trawling and gillnetting methods. These nations have developed robust fisheries management systems to sustain black sole populations, given the species' commercial importance and vulnerability to overfishing. The majority of the global catch is landed in northern European waters, particularly the North Sea and the English Channel, making these countries the top harvesters of black sole worldwide.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.