Top Picarels Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Picarels, broadly categorized under the family Sparidae and sometimes Centracanthidae, are small, schooling marine fish commonly found in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. These fish, which include species such as *Spicara smaris* and *Spicara maena*, are valued for their mild flavor and are often targeted by artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries. The top picarel fishing countries, not elsewhere included (NEI) in more specific statistics, are primarily Mediterranean and southern European nations such as Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Spain, where picarels are caught using trawl nets, seine nets, and traditional hook-and-line methods. The picarel fishery, while not as large-scale as those for anchovies or sardines, provides significant local economic value, supporting coastal communities and featuring prominently in regional cuisines. The catch is usually sold fresh in local markets, and the fishery is managed at the national or regional level to ensure sustainability and protect spawning stocks.

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