Top Undulate Ray Fishing Countries

The undulate ray (Raja undulata) is a distinctive species of skate found primarily in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic, ranging from southern Ireland and the English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea and northwest Africa. Characterized by its wavy, undulating patterns on the dorsal surface, the undulate ray inhabits sandy and muddy seabeds, where it feeds on small fish and invertebrates. The main countries involved in the commercial and artisanal fishing of undulate ray include France, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, with smaller catches reported from Italy and Morocco. These nations typically harvest undulate rays as part of mixed demersal trawl and gillnet fisheries, often targeting skates and rays alongside other bottom-dwelling species. Due to their slow growth and low reproductive rates, undulate rays are vulnerable to overfishing, and their populations have declined in many regions, prompting strict management measures and, in some cases, prohibitions on landing this species to aid in its recovery.

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