Top Corkwing Wrasse Fishing Countries

The corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) is a colorful, small marine fish native to the rocky coastal waters of the northeastern Atlantic, from Norway and the British Isles down to Portugal and into the western Mediterranean. Known for their vibrant green, blue, and brown hues, corkwing wrasse are not a traditional target for large-scale commercial fisheries, but they have gained significant importance in recent decades, particularly in Norway and Scotland. These countries have developed a specialized fishery for corkwing wrasse, primarily to supply the aquaculture industry, where the fish are used as cleaner fish to control sea lice in salmon farms. Norway is the leading harvester, with Scotland and, to a lesser extent, Ireland and Sweden also participating in the collection and use of corkwing wrasse for this purpose. The rise of this fishery is closely linked to the expansion of salmon farming in northern Europe, making these countries the top contributors to the corkwing wrasse fishing industry.

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