Top White Skate Fishing Countries

The white skate (Rostroraja alba), a large demersal ray found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, is a species of considerable conservation concern due to its vulnerability to overfishing. Characterized by its broad, diamond-shaped body and pale coloration, the white skate inhabits continental shelf and slope waters, often at depths between 40 and 400 meters. Historically, this species has been targeted as bycatch in trawl, gillnet, and longline fisheries, with the most significant catches reported from countries bordering the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean, such as Spain, France, Portugal, and Morocco. These nations have traditionally harvested white skate for local consumption, though declining populations and strict regulations have led to reduced landings in recent decades. Today, the white skate is classified as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN, and most commercial fishing is either heavily restricted or prohibited in many regions, with ongoing efforts to monitor and recover its populations.

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