Top Blue Shark Fishing Countries

The blue shark (*Prionace glauca*) is a sleek, migratory predator found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, recognized for its slender body and striking blue coloration. Highly valued for its fins and, to a lesser extent, its meat, the blue shark forms a significant part of the global shark fishing industry. The top blue shark fishing countries include Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, and Japan, with Spain and Portugal dominating the Atlantic fisheries, particularly through their longline fleets targeting sharks for the Asian fin trade. Taiwan and Japan also harvest substantial numbers of blue sharks in the Pacific, often as bycatch in tuna fisheries. These nations play a central role in the global blue shark trade, contributing to both the economic importance and conservation concerns surrounding this widely distributed yet increasingly vulnerable species.

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