Bahrain’s fishing industry has long been a vital part of its culture and economy, with a history stretching back thousands of years due to its location in the resource-rich waters of the Arabian Gulf. Traditionally, Bahraini fishermen relied on small wooden dhows and simple gear, targeting a variety of species. Today, the top fish catches in Bahrain include species such as hamour (orange-spotted grouper), safi (rabbitfish), chanad (kingfish), and shrimp, which remain highly valued both locally and for export. Over the years, the industry has faced challenges from overfishing, environmental changes, and competition from modern fishing fleets, prompting government efforts to regulate catches and promote sustainable practices. Despite these pressures, fishing continues to play an important role in Bahraini society, both as a source of livelihood and as a cherished cultural tradition.
Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
---|---|---|
1 | Jellyfishes nei | 7,410 |
2 | Blue swimming crab | 3,839 |
3 | Green tiger prawn | 2,324 |
4 | Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei | 1,906 |
5 | Spangled emperor | 853 |
6 | Marine fishes nei | 366 |
7 | Yellowbar angelfish | 303 |
8 | Indian driftfish | 289 |
9 | Bloch's gizzard shad | 235 |
10 | Emperors(=Scavengers) nei | 200 |
11 | Haffara seabream | 197 |
12 | Groupers nei | 168 |
13 | Twobar seabream | 161 |
14 | Pharaoh cuttlefish | 154 |
15 | Threadfin and dwarf breams nei | 114 |
16 | Halfbeaks nei | 105 |
17 | Talang queenfish | 99 |
18 | Hound needlefish | 89 |
20 | Santer seabream | 79 |
20 | Sardinellas nei | 79 |
20 | Giant catfish | 79 |
22 | Golden trevally | 72 |
23 | Greater amberjack | 67 |
24 | Sordid rubberlip | 63 |
25 | Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel | 60 |
26 | Mojarras(=Silver-biddies) nei | 56 |
27 | Pink ear emperor | 53 |
28 | Goldsilk seabream | 44 |
29 | Blackbanded trevally | 34 |
30 | Smalltooth emperor | 31 |
31 | Snappers, jobfishes nei | 26 |
32 | Batfishes | 25 |
32 | Carangids nei | 25 |
34 | Smallscaled grouper | 20 |
34 | Shrimp scad | 20 |
36 | Jack and horse mackerels nei | 16 |
37 | Pickhandle barracuda | 15 |
37 | Requiem sharks nei | 15 |
40 | Obtuse barracuda | 13 |
40 | Milkfish | 13 |
40 | Porgies, seabreams nei | 13 |
42 | Stingrays, butterfly rays nei | 12 |
43 | Sillago-whitings | 11 |
43 | Goatfishes, red mullets nei | 11 |
46 | Parrotfishes nei | 9 |
46 | Striped piggy | 9 |
46 | Flat needlefish | 9 |
46 | Mullets nei | 9 |
49 | Cobia | 6 |
50 | Sawtooth barracuda | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.