Top White Hake Fishing Countries

The white hake (Urophycis tenuis) is a demersal fish species native to the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, particularly found from North Carolina to Newfoundland and Labrador. Recognized for its elongated body and soft, white flesh, white hake is a valuable commercial species, primarily targeted for its use in fresh and processed seafood products. The top white hake fishing countries are Canada and the United States, with Canada—especially the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador—accounting for the largest share of landings. The U.S. harvests white hake mainly in the waters off New England. Both countries manage their hake fisheries through quotas and seasonal restrictions to ensure sustainability, as white hake populations are sensitive to overfishing. The fishing industry relies on bottom trawling techniques, and white hake is often caught alongside other groundfish species, making effective management crucial for the health of the broader marine ecosystem.

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