The Top Foureyed Sole (*Microchirus ocellatus*) is a small, bottom-dwelling flatfish found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Recognizable by its oval body and distinctive eye-like spots, this species inhabits sandy and muddy seabeds at moderate depths. The commercial harvest of the foureyed sole is relatively modest compared to larger flatfish, but it is locally important in several countries. The leading fishing nations for this species include Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, where it is caught as part of mixed demersal trawl fisheries. These countries have well-established fishing industries targeting a variety of flatfish and other demersal species, with the foureyed sole often sold fresh in local markets and occasionally exported. Sustainable management is crucial in these regions to ensure the continued availability of this and other valuable demersal fish species.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.