The Rio skate (family Rajidae), a type of cartilaginous fish closely related to rays and sharks, inhabits coastal and continental shelf waters, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean. These bottom-dwelling fish are targeted for their meat, which is popular in various cuisines, and for their cartilage. The top countries involved in Rio skate fishing include Spain, Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom, all of which have long-standing traditions of demersal trawl and gillnet fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic. These nations harvest skates both for domestic consumption and export, with Spain and France being especially prominent in European markets. The fishing industry for Rio skate is regulated in many regions due to concerns over declining populations and bycatch, leading to the implementation of quotas and conservation measures to ensure sustainable harvests.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 20 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.