Top Sichel Fishing Countries

The Sichel (Pelecus cultratus), also known as the ziege or sabrefish, is a slender, silvery freshwater fish native to Eastern Europe and parts of Western Asia, primarily inhabiting large rivers, lakes, and brackish coastal waters connected to the Black, Caspian, and Baltic Sea basins. This species is valued both for commercial and recreational fishing, though its economic importance is moderate compared to other regional fish. The top Sichel fishing countries include Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, where the species is harvested from the Volga, Dnieper, and Ural river systems, as well as their associated reservoirs. In these countries, Sichel is caught using traditional netting methods and contributes to local fisheries, often alongside other cyprinid species. While not a primary target for industrial-scale fisheries, Sichel plays a role in regional diets and small-scale commercial markets, and its populations are monitored to ensure sustainable harvests due to habitat changes and water management practices in its native range.

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