Top Norway Pout Fishing Countries

The Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) is a small, short-lived gadoid fish found in the northeastern Atlantic, particularly abundant in the North Sea and waters off Norway and the British Isles. Known for its silvery appearance and modest size, Norway pout is primarily targeted for industrial purposes, such as fishmeal and fish oil production, rather than direct human consumption. The top Norway pout fishing countries are Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom, which together account for the vast majority of the annual catch. Denmark has historically led the harvest, utilizing advanced trawling fleets and processing infrastructure, while Norway and the UK also maintain significant fisheries. The Norway pout fishery is tightly managed through quotas and international agreements to ensure sustainability, reflecting the species’ ecological importance as a food source for larger predatory fish and marine mammals.

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