Top Mediterranean Sand Eel Fishing Countries

The Mediterranean sand eel (family Ammodytidae), a slender, burrowing fish found in sandy coastal waters, is an important forage species for many marine predators and also supports a modest commercial fishery. These small, silvery fish are primarily harvested for use as bait in local fisheries, as well as for animal feed and, in some regions, direct human consumption. The top Mediterranean sand eel fishing countries include Italy, Greece, and Turkey, where artisanal and small-scale fisheries target sand eels using seine nets and small trawls, especially during their peak abundance in spring and early summer. While the sand eel fishery is not as industrialized as those for larger pelagic species, it remains significant for local economies and traditional fishing communities along the Mediterranean coast. Sustainable management is increasingly emphasized due to the sand eel’s vital ecological role as prey for commercially valuable fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.

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