Top Croatia Fish Catches

Croatia’s fishing industry is deeply rooted in its rich maritime history, with the Adriatic Sea providing abundant resources for centuries. The country’s top fish catches include small pelagic species such as sardines (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus), which dominate commercial landings and are vital both for local consumption and export. Other important species include mackerel, hake, and various shellfish like mussels and oysters, especially along the Dalmatian coast. Traditional fishing methods, such as the use of wooden boats and hand nets, coexist with modern trawlers and aquaculture, reflecting a blend of heritage and innovation. Historically, fishing has been a cornerstone of coastal communities, shaping local culture and cuisine, and today it remains an essential economic sector, supported by sustainable practices and EU regulations.

Rank	Fish Species	Metric Tons
1	European pilchard(=Sardine)	39,194
2	European anchovy	13,912
3	Atlantic chub mackerel	1,661
4	European hake	1,177
5	Jack and horse mackerels nei	1,006
6	Atlantic bluefin tuna	816
7	Deep-water rose shrimp	760
8	Red mullet	647
9	Round sardinella	341
10	Norway lobster	273
11	Sea urchins, etc. nei	256
12	Gilthead seabream	229
13	Common carp	220
14	Stony sea urchin	171
15	Horned and musky octopuses	165
16	Common sole	140
17	Common octopus	137
18	European squid	135
19	Various squids nei	109
20	Rays, stingrays, mantas nei	103
21	Mullets nei	100
22	Monkfishes nei	98
23	Whiting	97
23	Common cuttlefish	97
25	Picarel	92
26	Gurnards, searobins nei	76
27	Dogfish sharks nei	74
28	Bogue	68
29	Common pandora	63
30	Warty venus	59
30	Red scorpionfish	59
32	Marine fishes nei	58
33	Frigate and bullet tunas	54
34	John dory	49
34	Little tunny(=Atl.black skipj)	49
36	European sprat	47
37	Megrim	45
39	Smooth-hound	43
39	Atlantic horse mackerel	43
39	Salema	43
41	Freshwater fishes nei	41
42	Swordfish	39
43	Great Mediterranean scallop	38
43	Wels(=Som) catfish	38
45	Surmullet	36
46	Greater amberjack	35
46	European conger	35
48	Saddled seabream	34
49	Atlantic mackerel	30
50	European flat oyster	28

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