Top Gurnards, Searobins Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Top gurnards and searobins, grouped as "not elsewhere included" in fisheries statistics, are bottom-dwelling marine fish belonging to the family Triglidae, recognized for their armored heads and wing-like pectoral fins. These species inhabit temperate and subtropical coastal waters, where they are caught primarily as bycatch in demersal trawl fisheries, though they are also targeted locally for their firm, white flesh. The leading fishing countries for top gurnards and searobins include China, Turkey, Italy, and Greece, with significant landings also reported from other Mediterranean and Black Sea nations. While not as commercially prominent as other demersal species, gurnards and searobins are valued in regional cuisines and contribute to the diversity of small-scale and artisanal fisheries. The industry is characterized by moderate but stable catches, with sustainability concerns focused on habitat impacts from trawling rather than overfishing of these resilient species.

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