Top Blonde Ray Fishing Countries

The blonde ray (Raja brachyura) is a large, pale-colored skate species found predominantly in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, including the coastal waters of the British Isles, western Europe, and parts of the Mediterranean Sea. Recognized for its broad, diamond-shaped body and sandy-blonde coloration, the blonde ray inhabits sandy and muddy seabeds at depths ranging from shallow inshore waters to about 100 meters. The main countries involved in the commercial and recreational harvest of blonde ray are the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and Spain, where it is caught primarily by trawl, gillnet, and longline fisheries. The species is valued for its firm, white flesh, commonly sold as "skate wings" in European markets. While not as heavily targeted as some other rays, the blonde ray is subject to fishing pressure, and its populations are monitored under European Union fisheries regulations to prevent overexploitation and ensure sustainable management.

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