Top Smooth Hounds Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Top smooth hounds, grouped under "Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) in fisheries statistics, refer to various species within the Mustelus genus and related houndsharks that are not individually specified in catch records. These medium-sized, bottom-dwelling sharks are found in temperate and subtropical waters worldwide and are valued for their mild-flavored flesh, often marketed as "rock salmon" or "flake." Major fishing countries harvesting top smooth hounds NEI include Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Italy in European waters, as well as Argentina and Uruguay in South America. The fishing industry for these species primarily uses trawl and gillnet fisheries, with landings often reported collectively due to challenges in species identification. Smooth hounds are important both for local consumption and export, but concerns over overfishing and slow reproductive rates have led to increased management efforts in some regions to ensure sustainable harvests.

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