Top Greenland Halibut Fishing Countries

The Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), also known as Greenland turbot, is a deep-water flatfish found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Prized for its firm, white flesh, this species is a valuable target for commercial fisheries. The top Greenland halibut fishing countries include Norway, Greenland (Denmark), Russia, Canada, and Iceland. These nations operate extensive fisheries in the Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, and North Atlantic, using trawlers and longlines to harvest the species. The fishing industry for Greenland halibut is crucial for the economies of these Arctic and sub-Arctic countries, with strict international management and quotas overseen by organizations such as the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) to ensure sustainable harvests and prevent overfishing.

RankCountryMetric Tons
1Greenland45,362
2Russian Federation17,984
3Norway16,898
4Canada10,899
5Iceland8,805
6Germany6,195
7Spain4,719
8Faroe Islands2,966
9Portugal2,457
10United States of America1,404
11Japan1,205
12United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland540
13Estonia495
14France186
15Lithuania136

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