Top Tusk Cusk Fishing Countries

The tusk, also known as cusk (Brosme brosme), is a deep-water marine fish found primarily in the North Atlantic Ocean. Characterized by its elongated body, single long dorsal fin, and chin barbel, the tusk is closely related to cod and haddock. The main countries involved in commercial tusk fishing are Norway, Iceland, and Russia, with Norway being the leading harvester due to its extensive North Atlantic coastline and established deep-sea fishing industry. Tusk is typically caught using longlines and trawls at depths ranging from 200 to 1,000 meters, and its firm, white flesh is valued in both domestic and export markets. While tusk is less prominent than cod or haddock in global trade, it remains an important species for the fishing industries of these North Atlantic nations, contributing to local economies and traditional diets.

RankCountryMetric Tons
1Norway12,485
2Faroe Islands2,308
3Iceland1,938
4United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland208
5Russian Federation167
6France142
7Canada141
8Spain113
9Greenland82
10United States of America27
11Denmark23
12Ireland12
13Sweden9
14Germany4

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