Top Thicklip Grey Mullet Fishing Countries

The Thicklip Grey Mullet (*Chelon labrosus*) is a coastal fish species found predominantly in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Scandinavia and the British Isles down to Northwest Africa, as well as in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Known for its robust, silvery body and thick, fleshy lips, this mullet is highly valued for both its delicate flavor and its roe, which is used in delicacies like bottarga. The top countries harvesting Thicklip Grey Mullet include Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, where artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries are particularly active in estuaries, lagoons, and nearshore waters. These countries have long traditions of mullet fishing, employing methods such as gillnetting, seine netting, and occasionally angling, with the catch supporting local markets and, in some regions, export industries. The sustainability of mullet fisheries is increasingly emphasized, with some countries implementing seasonal closures and gear restrictions to protect spawning stocks and maintain healthy populations.

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