The great sandeel (Hyperoplus lanceolatus) is a slender, elongated fish found primarily in the temperate waters of the Northeast Atlantic, from Norway and Iceland down to the Bay of Biscay. Known for forming large schools in sandy coastal areas, great sandeels are a crucial forage species for many seabirds, marine mammals, and predatory fish. The sandeel fishing industry is particularly significant in Northern Europe, with Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom being the top harvesting countries. These nations utilize industrial trawling methods to catch sandeels, which are mainly processed into fishmeal and fish oil for use in aquaculture and agriculture. Due to their ecological importance, sandeel fisheries are closely managed, with periodic closures and quotas to ensure sustainable populations and to protect dependent wildlife.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poland | 174 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.