Top Greenland Shark Fishing Countries

The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is a large, slow-growing shark native to the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, particularly around Greenland, Iceland, and northern Canada. Known for its remarkable longevity—some individuals are estimated to live over 400 years—the Greenland shark has historically been targeted for its liver oil, which was once a valuable commodity. Today, the primary countries involved in Greenland shark fishing are Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, with smaller amounts caught by Canada and Russia. However, the fishing industry for this species has significantly declined due to concerns about its slow reproductive rate and vulnerability to overfishing. Modern catches are mostly bycatch in deep-sea fisheries targeting other species, rather than from directed fisheries. Conservation measures and declining demand for shark liver oil have led to reduced harvests, with Greenland and Iceland remaining the main countries where incidental catches still occur.

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