The butter sole (*Isopsetta isolepis*) is a flatfish species native to the North Pacific, recognized for its mild, delicate flavor and soft texture. It typically inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms at moderate depths, ranging from the Bering Sea and Alaska down to California. The commercial harvest of butter sole is relatively modest compared to other flatfish, but it remains an important bycatch in trawl fisheries targeting groundfish. The leading countries involved in butter sole fishing are the United States (particularly Alaska), Canada (primarily British Columbia), and, to a lesser extent, Russia and Japan. In these countries, butter sole is caught alongside other flatfish species and marketed fresh or frozen, contributing to the local seafood industry and export markets, though it is not a primary target species. Sustainable management practices in the U.S. and Canada help ensure the long-term viability of butter sole populations within their exclusive economic zones.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 288 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.