Top European Seabass Fishing Countries

The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), also known as "sea bass" or "branzino," is a prized marine fish native to the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Renowned for its delicate flavor and firm white flesh, this species supports both commercial and recreational fisheries. The leading European seabass fishing countries include France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, all of which have significant wild-capture and aquaculture industries. While wild stocks are targeted by small-scale and artisanal fisheries, the majority of European seabass now comes from aquaculture, particularly in Greece and Turkey, which are global leaders in farmed seabass production. France and Spain maintain robust traditional fisheries, especially in the Atlantic, but increasingly supplement their markets with farmed fish to meet high consumer demand. The European seabass industry is vital to the economies of Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal regions, balancing sustainable practices with the pressures of overfishing and environmental change.

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