Top European Anchovy Fishing Countries

The European anchovy (*Engraulis encrasicolus*) is a small, schooling pelagic fish found in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. Known for its commercial value and culinary uses, especially in Mediterranean cuisine, the European anchovy supports a significant fishing industry. The top European anchovy fishing countries are Spain, Italy, France, and Turkey, with Spain and Italy traditionally leading in both catch volumes and processing, particularly in regions such as the Bay of Biscay and the Ligurian Sea. These countries employ purse seine and lampara nets to harvest anchovies, with much of the catch processed into salted, canned, or marinated products for both domestic consumption and export. The industry is subject to strict quotas and seasonal closures to ensure sustainability due to the anchovy’s sensitivity to environmental changes and historical instances of stock collapse.

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