Top Pacific Sanddab Fishing Countries

The Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) is a small, flat-bodied flatfish native to the northern and eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly abundant along the west coast of North America. Characterized by its mottled brown coloration and both eyes on the left side of its body, the sanddab is prized for its delicate, mild-flavored flesh. The commercial and recreational fishing industry for Pacific sanddab is most prominent in the United States, especially California, where it is a popular menu item and targeted by both trawl and hook-and-line fisheries. Canada, particularly British Columbia, also harvests sanddab, though at a much smaller scale. While Mexico has some catch of sanddab in its northern Pacific waters, the United States remains the leading country in both landings and market demand for this species. The fishery is generally considered sustainable due to the sanddab’s fast growth and high reproductive rate, and it plays a modest but important role in the regional seafood industry.

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