The Mediterranean sand smelt (Atherina hepsetus) is a small, slender fish found in coastal and estuarine waters throughout the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent eastern Atlantic coasts. Valued for its delicate flavor and commonly consumed fried or in stews, the sand smelt supports significant small-scale fisheries. The top Mediterranean countries harvesting this species include Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Spain, where traditional fishing methods such as beach seines and small trawl nets are widely used. In these countries, sand smelt is often caught by artisanal fishers and sold fresh in local markets, playing an important role in coastal economies and culinary traditions. The fishery is generally considered sustainable due to the species’ fast growth and high reproductive rate, though monitoring and management vary by country.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croatia | 4 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.