Albania's fishing industry, though relatively modest compared to its Mediterranean neighbors, plays a significant role in the country's coastal economy. The industry is centered around the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, with key fishing ports in Durrës, Vlorë, and Sarandë. Albania's top fish catches include European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), and various species of mullet, along with hake (Merluccius merluccius) and sea bream (Sparus aurata). Historically, fishing in Albania was primarily artisanal, with small-scale operations dominating until the mid-20th century, when state-run cooperatives expanded the fleet and infrastructure. Since the 1990s, following the transition to a market economy, the industry has modernized, with increased investment in aquaculture and export-oriented production, particularly for Mediterranean species. Despite challenges such as overfishing and outdated equipment, Albania continues to develop its fisheries sector, balancing tradition with modernization.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deep-water rose shrimp | 995 |
| 2 | European anchovy | 987 |
| 3 | Crucian carp | 868 |
| 4 | European hake | 685 |
| 5 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 612 |
| 6 | Roaches nei | 603 |
| 7 | Common carp | 586 |
| 8 | Mullets nei | 379 |
| 9 | Surmullets(=Red mullets) nei | 312 |
| 10 | Silver carp | 288 |
| 11 | European perch | 222 |
| 12 | Common squids nei | 198 |
| 13 | Norway lobster | 185 |
| 14 | Atlantic bluefin tuna | 169 |
| 15 | Common octopus | 139 |
| 16 | Bleak | 125 |
| 17 | Jack and horse mackerels nei | 111 |
| 18 | Scomber mackerels nei | 107 |
| 19 | Blue and red shrimp | 102 |
| 20 | Spottail mantis squillid | 95 |
| 21 | Salmonoids nei | 80 |
| 22 | Bogue | 75 |
| 23 | Common cuttlefish | 66 |
| 24 | Caramote prawn | 61 |
| 25 | Pike-perch | 55 |
| 26 | Freshwater fishes nei | 53 |
| 27 | Giant red shrimp | 52 |
| 28 | European seabass | 51 |
| 29 | Pandoras nei | 47 |
| 30 | Shads nei | 45 |
| 31 | Grass carp(=White amur) | 44 |
| 32 | Gilthead seabream | 38 |
| 33 | Bighead carp | 35 |
| 34 | Atlantic bonito | 31 |
| 34 | Common sole | 31 |
| 36 | Common dentex | 25 |
| 37 | Monkfishes nei | 24 |
| 38 | Gurnards, searobins nei | 19 |
| 38 | Megrim | 19 |
| 41 | Common dace | 17 |
| 41 | European eel | 17 |
| 41 | Turbot | 17 |
| 43 | European flounder | 15 |
| 43 | European sprat | 15 |
| 45 | John dory | 12 |
| 46 | Greater amberjack | 9 |
| 47 | Silversides(=Sand smelts) nei | 6 |
| 48 | Groupers nei | 5 |
| 49 | European conger | 3 |
| 49 | Leerfish | 3 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.