Top Wreckfish Fishing Countries

Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) is a large, deep-water species found in the Atlantic Ocean, known for inhabiting rocky reefs and shipwrecks at depths of 200 to 1,000 meters. Prized for its firm, white flesh, wreckfish is targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries, often using longlines and deep-set hooks. The top wreckfish fishing countries are Spain and Portugal, which lead the European catch, followed by the United States (particularly off the southeastern coast), and South Africa. Spain and Portugal have well-established fleets that operate in the eastern Atlantic, while the U.S. primarily harvests wreckfish off the Carolinas. The global wreckfish fishery is relatively small compared to other commercial species, and is closely monitored due to the species’ slow growth and vulnerability to overfishing, with catch quotas and seasonal closures implemented in major fishing nations to ensure sustainability.

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