Top Brown Ray Fishing Countries

The brown ray (Raja clavata), also known as the thornback ray, is a demersal cartilaginous fish commonly found in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic, from Norway and Iceland down to South Africa, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Recognizable by its flattened body and thorny dorsal surface, the brown ray inhabits sandy or muddy seabeds and is targeted both as a commercial and recreational species. The leading countries in brown ray fishing include the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal, where the species is caught primarily by bottom trawling and gillnet fisheries. In these countries, brown ray is valued for its delicate flesh, often sold as “skate wings” in markets and restaurants. While the species is not currently considered endangered, overfishing and bycatch remain concerns, prompting some regional management measures and quota systems to ensure sustainable harvests.

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