Dulse is not a fish, but rather a red seaweed (Palmaria palmata) found along the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It has been harvested for centuries as an edible sea vegetable, prized for its rich mineral content and savory flavor. The top dulse harvesting countries include Canada—particularly in the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia—as well as Ireland and Iceland, where dulse is both wild-harvested and cultivated. In these regions, dulse gathering is a traditional industry, often carried out by hand during low tide, and the dried seaweed is sold for use in snacks, soups, and health foods. The sustainable harvesting and growing interest in sea vegetables have helped maintain dulse as an important economic and cultural resource in these coastal communities.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.