Top Forkbeards Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

The forkbeard (Phycis phycis) is a demersal fish species found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, recognized for its elongated body, barbels on the chin, and preference for rocky seabeds at moderate depths. It is valued both as a food fish and for its role in local fisheries. The category "Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) in fisheries statistics typically refers to catches of forkbeards that are not specified by individual species or are grouped with similar species. The top countries harvesting forkbeards NEI are predominantly southern European nations, with Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece being the main contributors due to their extensive Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines and long-standing traditions of demersal fishing. These countries employ trawling and longlining methods, and the forkbeard is often landed as part of mixed-species catches. The forkbeard fishery, while smaller in scale compared to major commercial species, is important for regional markets and local economies, especially in artisanal and small-scale fisheries.

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