Weeverfishes, belonging to the family Trachinidae, are small, venomous marine fish found primarily in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Known for their sharp dorsal spines that can deliver a painful sting, weevers are typically caught as bycatch in trawl and seine fisheries rather than being a targeted commercial species. The primary countries reporting the highest catches of weeverfishes in FAO statistics under "Weeverfishes nei" (not elsewhere included) are Spain, Portugal, and France, reflecting their abundance along the European Atlantic coasts and the Mediterranean. While not a major focus of large-scale fisheries, weevers are sometimes landed and sold fresh in local markets, particularly in southern Europe, where they are valued for their delicate white flesh despite their reputation for being dangerous to handle. The overall catch volumes remain modest compared to more commercially important species, but they contribute to the diversity of small-scale coastal fisheries in these regions.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.