Top Mediterranean Slimehead Fishing Countries

The Mediterranean slimehead (Hoplostethus mediterraneus) is a deep-sea fish known for its reddish coloration, spiny dorsal fin, and robust, bony head. Found at depths of 100 to 1,200 meters, it is a slow-growing species, making it vulnerable to overfishing. The primary countries harvesting Mediterranean slimehead are Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, where deep-sea trawl fisheries operate in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic waters. These countries target slimehead for its firm, white flesh, which is valued in local markets and sometimes exported. The fishing industry for this species is relatively small compared to more commercially significant Mediterranean fish, but it is closely monitored due to the species' sensitivity to exploitation and the ecological importance of deep-sea habitats.

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