Top Blackbelly Rosefish Fishing Countries

The blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) is a deepwater, reddish-orange fish found in the Atlantic Ocean, recognized for its spiny fins and distinctive dark belly. It inhabits rocky bottoms at depths ranging from 200 to over 1,000 meters. The top countries engaged in commercial blackbelly rosefish fishing are Portugal, Spain, and Italy, where the species is valued for its firm, white flesh and is commonly landed as part of mixed deep-sea trawl or longline fisheries. Portugal leads in landings, especially from the Azores and mainland Atlantic coasts, while Spain and Italy also have established fisheries in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. These nations have developed targeted and bycatch fisheries, supplying both domestic markets and, to a lesser extent, exports, with management measures in place to address concerns about overfishing and the species’ slow growth and late maturity.

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