Top Lumpfish Lumpsucker Fishing Countries

The lumpfish, also known as lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus), is a cold-water fish native to the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, recognized for its rounded, bumpy body and distinctive suction disc used to cling to rocks. Lumpfish are primarily targeted for their roe, which is processed into a caviar substitute, and to a lesser extent for their flesh and use in aquaculture as cleaner fish to control sea lice in salmon farms. The top lumpfish fishing countries are Iceland, Norway, and Greenland, with Iceland being the global leader in both wild catch and roe production. These countries have established fisheries that operate mainly during the spring spawning season, using gillnets to harvest mature females. The lumpfish industry is economically significant in these regions, particularly for small coastal communities, and is increasingly managed with sustainability measures to protect stocks and ensure long-term viability.

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