Top Whiting Fishing Countries

Whiting, commonly referring to species within the Merlangius, Micromesistius, and Sillago genera, is a popular whitefish found in both Atlantic and Indo-Pacific waters. The European whiting (Merlangius merlangus) is especially significant in the North Sea and northeastern Atlantic, while other whiting species are important in Australia and East Asia. Top whiting fishing countries include the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands in Europe, where the species is a staple of commercial trawl fisheries. In the Southern Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand target Sillago species, known locally as sand whiting or King George whiting, supporting both commercial and recreational fisheries. Whiting is valued for its mild flavor and is a key ingredient in fish markets and fish-and-chips cuisine, making it an economically important catch for these nations.

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