Top Thornback Ray Fishing Countries

The thornback ray (Raja clavata) is a cartilaginous fish found primarily in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Norway and Iceland down to South Africa, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Recognizable by its broad, flat body and distinctive thorn-like spines on its back and tail, the thornback ray is a popular target for both commercial and recreational fisheries. The leading countries harvesting thornback ray are the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal, where it is caught mainly as part of mixed demersal trawl fisheries. These nations have established fishing industries that target rays and skates for their meat, which is commonly sold fresh or processed. Sustainable management of thornback ray stocks is a concern, as their slow growth and late maturity make them vulnerable to overfishing, prompting the implementation of quotas and size limits in several European countries.

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