Top Bulgaria Fish Catches

Bulgaria’s fishing industry, though modest compared to some European neighbors, has a long tradition rooted in its Black Sea coastline, rivers, and numerous inland lakes. The top fish catches in Bulgaria include species such as sprat (Sprattus sprattus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), goby (Gobiidae family), and horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) from the Black Sea, as well as carp (Cyprinus carpio), catfish (Silurus glanis), and pike (Esox lucius) from freshwater sources. Historically, fishing in Bulgaria was vital for local communities, especially along the Danube and Black Sea, providing both food and economic activity. During the 20th century, the industry saw modernization and state regulation, but in recent decades, overfishing and environmental changes have led to decreased catches, prompting increased focus on sustainable practices and aquaculture. Today, Bulgaria’s fishing sector is characterized by small-scale operations, with a growing emphasis on preserving native species and supporting rural livelihoods.

Rank	Fish Species	Metric Tons
1	Veined rapa whelk	2,165
2	European sprat	1,561
3	Bluefish	513
4	Sand gaper	337
5	Mediterranean mussel	225
6	Mediterranean horse mackerel	195
7	Red mullet	181
8	European anchovy	153
9	Turbot	55
10	Atlantic bonito	45
11	Whiting	28
13	Gobies nei	17
13	Thornback ray	17
13	Picked dogfish	17
15	Silversides(=Sand smelts) nei	16
16	Goldfish	10
17	Pontic shad	8
18	Common carp	7
19	Flathead grey mullet	6
20	Barbel	5
22	European pilchard(=Sardine)	4
22	Wels(=Som) catfish	4
22	Freshwater bream	4
24	Bighead carp	3
24	Silver carp	3
27	Grass carp(=White amur)	2
27	Leaping mullet	2
27	Vimba bream	2
27	Pike-perch	2
33	Garfish	1
33	Common shrimp	1
33	Bleak	1
33	Common nase	1
33	Common stingray	1
33	Danube bleak	1
33	Asp	1

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