Top Three Spined Stickleback Fishing Countries

The three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a small, spiny fish found in temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting both freshwater and coastal marine environments. Known for its adaptability and distinctive three dorsal spines, this species is not a major target for commercial fisheries due to its small size but is occasionally harvested for use as bait, in the aquarium trade, and for scientific research. The countries most associated with the collection and study of three-spined sticklebacks are the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan, where the species is abundant in local waters. In these countries, the fishing of sticklebacks is typically small-scale and focused on educational, ecological, and research purposes rather than large-scale commercial exploitation. The three-spined stickleback is also significant in evolutionary biology, making these nations important centers for its study rather than its harvest for food.

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