Top Symphodus Wrasses Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Symphodus wrasses, a genus of small, colorful marine fish native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, are primarily associated with rocky and seagrass habitats. These wrasses are not major commercial species but are often caught as bycatch or targeted in small-scale, artisanal fisheries. The leading countries involved in the harvest of Symphodus wrasses—often grouped as "not elsewhere included" in fishery statistics—are typically Mediterranean nations such as Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Spain. In these countries, Symphodus wrasses are valued locally for their delicate flavor and are sometimes used as bait for larger fish. The fishing industry for these species is mostly coastal and small-scale, relying on traditional methods such as traps, nets, and handlines, with the catch often sold fresh in local markets. Conservation concerns are generally minimal due to the low intensity of fishing pressure, but habitat degradation in the Mediterranean remains a potential threat to their populations.

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