Top Meagre Fishing Countries

The Meagre (*Argyrosomus regius*), a large predatory fish in the drum family (Sciaenidae), is prized for its firm, white flesh and is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea. Characterized by its silvery body and ability to grow over 2 meters in length, the meagre is both a target for commercial fisheries and an increasingly important aquaculture species. The top meagre fishing countries include Egypt, Turkey, France, Spain, and Italy, with Egypt and Turkey leading in both wild capture and aquaculture production. These countries harvest meagre using trawls, gillnets, and longlines, and have also developed significant farming operations to meet growing demand in European and Middle Eastern markets. Over the past two decades, meagre production has expanded rapidly, especially in the Mediterranean basin, as wild stocks face pressure from overfishing and habitat loss, making sustainable aquaculture practices increasingly vital to the industry’s future.

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