Top Curled Picarel Fishing Countries

The top curled picarel (*Spicara maena*) is a small, schooling marine fish found mainly in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Recognizable by its elongated body and distinctive coloration, this species inhabits coastal waters over sandy and rocky substrates. Curled picarel is targeted primarily by small-scale and artisanal fisheries using trawl nets, gillnets, and traditional hook-and-line methods. The leading countries harvesting top curled picarel are Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Spain, where the fish is valued for its role in local diets and as a component of mixed-species catches. While not a major export commodity, curled picarel supports coastal economies and is commonly sold fresh in local markets, contributing to the Mediterranean region's rich fishing heritage.

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