Top Painted Comber Fishing Countries

The Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) is a small, vibrantly colored member of the Serranidae family, notable for its striking blue and red markings and preference for rocky coastal habitats in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. While not a primary target of large-scale commercial fisheries, the Painted Comber is commonly caught as bycatch in artisanal and small-scale fisheries, especially using hook-and-line, traps, and small nets. The top countries harvesting this species are those bordering the Mediterranean, particularly Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, where it is valued locally for its delicate flesh and sometimes sold fresh in local markets. In these regions, the fishing industry for Painted Comber is relatively modest compared to larger commercial species, but it plays a role in supporting coastal communities and traditional fishing practices.

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