Top Piper Gurnard Fishing Countries

The piper gurnard (Trigla lyra), also known as the tub gurnard, is a bottom-dwelling marine fish recognized for its bright red coloration and wing-like pectoral fins. Found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, this species inhabits sandy and muddy seabeds at depths of up to 400 meters. The leading countries harvesting piper gurnard are Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal, where it is caught both as a targeted species and as bycatch in trawl and gillnet fisheries. These nations have established fishing industries that supply gurnard to local markets, where it is valued for its firm, white flesh and is commonly used in traditional Mediterranean seafood dishes. While not a primary commercial target compared to more popular species, the piper gurnard remains an important component of mixed demersal fisheries in these regions.

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