Lamarck's razor shell (Ensis directus), a slender, elongated bivalve mollusk, is prized for its delicate flavor and is commonly found in sandy coastal waters of the North Atlantic and European seas. This species, often harvested using hand raking or mechanized dredging, supports a significant fishing industry in countries such as Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Spain and Portugal, in particular, are renowned for their razor shell fisheries, with Galicia (Spain) being a major production hub, exporting both fresh and processed razor shells across Europe and Asia. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands also maintain active fisheries, focusing on sustainable practices to preserve razor shell populations. The industry is valued for its contribution to local economies and its role in traditional coastal cuisine, though it faces challenges from overfishing and habitat disturbance.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.