Hong Kong SAR, China, boasts a dynamic fishing industry rooted in centuries-old maritime traditions, with its strategic location along the South China Sea fostering a bustling seafood trade. Historically, Hong Kong’s fishing fleet—dominated by small, family-run trawlers and sampans—supplied local wet markets and fueled the city’s famed seafood cuisine. Today, the top fish catches include species such as golden threadfin bream, croaker, squid, cuttlefish, and various groupers, reflecting both local demand and the region’s rich marine biodiversity. While the industry has faced challenges from overfishing, urbanization, and stricter regulations, Hong Kong remains a vital seafood hub, importing and re-exporting vast quantities of fish while supporting a vibrant culture of coastal fishing communities.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marine fishes nei | 46,348 |
| 2 | Threadfin breams nei | 8,293 |
| 3 | Various squids nei | 3,588 |
| 4 | Lizardfishes nei | 2,877 |
| 5 | Natantian decapods nei | 2,269 |
| 6 | Tilefishes nei | 2,136 |
| 7 | Bigeyes nei | 1,768 |
| 8 | Croakers, drums nei | 1,745 |
| 9 | Scads nei | 1,283 |
| 10 | Pike-congers nei | 1,031 |
| 11 | Butterfishes, pomfrets nei | 918 |
| 12 | Seerfishes nei | 760 |
| 12 | Hairtails, scabbardfishes nei | 760 |
| 15 | Tonguefishes | 491 |
| 15 | Marine crabs nei | 491 |
| 15 | Pacific rudderfish | 491 |
| 17 | Groupers, seabasses nei | 485 |
| 18 | Porgies, seabreams nei | 346 |
| 19 | Marine molluscs nei | 297 |
| 20 | Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei | 236 |
| 21 | Goatfishes | 181 |
| 22 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 158 |
| 23 | Snappers, jobfishes nei | 142 |
| 24 | Largeeye breams | 58 |
| 25 | Indian driftfish | 19 |
| 27 | Slender rainbow sardine | 8 |
| 27 | Stolephorus anchovies nei | 8 |
| 27 | Jacks, crevalles nei | 8 |
| 29 | Sardinellas nei | 3 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.