Top Lampreys Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Lampreys are jawless, eel-like fish known for their distinctive toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth, which some species use to attach to other fish and feed on their blood. While lampreys are not as widely targeted as other commercial fish, they are harvested in certain countries for food and traditional dishes. The top countries involved in lamprey fishing, not otherwise categorized in major global statistics, include Portugal, Spain, Latvia, and Finland. In Portugal and Spain, the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a delicacy, particularly in the Minho River region, where it is prepared in traditional recipes such as "lampreia à bordalesa." In Latvia and Finland, river lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) are caught in coastal rivers and smoked or pickled. The lamprey fishery in these countries is often small-scale and seasonal, supporting local economies and culinary traditions rather than large-scale commercial export.

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