Top Bleak Fishing Countries

The bleak (Alburnus alburnus) is a small, silvery freshwater fish native to European rivers and lakes, especially prevalent in the basins of the Danube, Rhine, and Volga. Known for its slender body and shimmering scales, the bleak is commonly used as bait, for human consumption, and its scales have historically been used in the manufacture of artificial pearls. The top countries for bleak fishing are Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Hungary, where the species is abundant in large river systems and lakes. These countries have well-established inland fisheries that target bleak both for local markets and, to a lesser extent, for export. While not as economically significant as larger commercial species, bleak fishing supports local economies and traditional fishing practices throughout Eastern and Central Europe.

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