Electric rays, belonging to the family Torpedinidae, are a group of cartilaginous fish known for their ability to generate electric shocks, which they use for defense and to stun prey. These bottom-dwelling marine species are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, with notable species including the common torpedo (Torpedo torpedo) and the marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata). Although electric rays are not a major target for large-scale commercial fisheries due to their limited culinary appeal and low market demand, they are occasionally caught as bycatch in trawl and gillnet fisheries, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern Atlantic (off the coasts of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco), and parts of the Indian Ocean. Countries such as Italy, Greece, and Turkey are among the top harvesters, primarily due to their active demersal fishing fleets in the Mediterranean region. In some areas, electric rays are used locally for food or traditional medicine, but overall, their economic importance is minor compared to other ray and skate species.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.