Top Murex Fishing Countries

Murex is a genus of predatory sea snails, known for their ornate shells and historical importance in producing Tyrian purple dye. These gastropods inhabit rocky coastal areas in warm seas, and their collection has been significant since ancient times, particularly in the Mediterranean region. Today, murex fishing is most prominent in countries bordering the Mediterranean, such as Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia, where both artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries harvest them for their meat and decorative shells. In addition, some Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, also collect murex species for local consumption and export. While not a major global fishery, murex harvesting remains culturally and economically important in these regions, often regulated to prevent overexploitation due to their slow growth and ecological sensitivity.

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