Top Channeled Whelk Fishing Countries

The channeled whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus) is a large marine gastropod native to the western Atlantic coast of North America, particularly abundant from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to northern Florida. Recognized by its sturdy, spiral shell with distinct channels, the channeled whelk is a valuable species in commercial fisheries, primarily harvested for its meat, which is popular in both domestic and international markets, especially in East Asia and Italy. The United States, particularly the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey, leads global channeled whelk production, with these fisheries supporting local economies through both targeted pot fisheries and as bycatch in lobster and crab traps. While small-scale harvesting occurs in other Atlantic-bordering countries, the U.S. remains the dominant harvester due to the species’ limited native range and established management practices that help sustain the fishery.

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