Top Brill Fishing Countries

Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) is a flatfish species prized for its delicate flavor and firm, white flesh, commonly found in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Mediterranean Sea. This demersal fish inhabits sandy and muddy seabeds, often at depths of 5 to 50 meters. The top countries engaged in commercial Brill fishing are the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium, where the species is typically caught using trawling and gillnetting methods. The Brill fishing industry, though smaller in scale compared to other flatfish like turbot or sole, is significant for local markets and high-end gastronomy, with much of the catch exported to European countries where it is considered a luxury seafood item. Sustainable management and quotas are increasingly important in these nations to ensure the long-term viability of Brill stocks.

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