Top Turbots Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

The category "Top Turbots Not Elsewhere Included" refers to the commercial capture of various flatfish species within the Scophthalmidae family, primarily turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), that are not specifically itemized in global fisheries statistics. Turbot is a prized demersal fish native to the Northeast Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean, valued for its delicate, white flesh and high market demand, especially in European cuisine. The leading countries harvesting turbot and related species in this category include Spain, France, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, all of which operate both wild-capture fisheries and significant aquaculture operations. Spain, in particular, is renowned for its advanced turbot farming industry, while France and the UK focus more on wild-caught stocks, typically using bottom trawls and gillnets. These nations have developed robust management and sustainability measures due to the high economic value and relatively slow growth of turbot, ensuring continued supply for both domestic consumption and export markets.

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