Côte d'Ivoire, with its Atlantic coastline and extensive inland water bodies, has a vibrant fishing industry that plays a crucial role in food security and employment. The country's top fish catches include sardinella, bonga shad, anchovies, and various species of tuna, which are especially important for both artisanal and industrial fisheries. Inland, tilapia and catfish dominate catches from rivers and reservoirs. The fishing industry in Côte d'Ivoire has a long history, traditionally based on small-scale, artisanal fishing, but expanded significantly in the 20th century with the development of industrial fleets and fish processing facilities, particularly in the port city of Abidjan. Today, the sector faces challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing, and environmental degradation, but remains vital for the country's economy and nutrition.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freshwater fishes nei | 11,880 |
| 2 | Round sardinella | 9,980 |
| 3 | Bigeye grunt | 9,160 |
| 4 | Black catfishes nei | 8,015 |
| 5 | West African croakers nei | 7,925 |
| 6 | Bonga shad | 4,080 |
| 7 | Sardinellas nei | 3,870 |
| 8 | Yellowfin tuna | 3,336 |
| 9 | Atlantic chub mackerel | 2,650 |
| 10 | Skipjack tuna | 2,266 |
| 11 | Dagaas (=Kapenta) | 2,260 |
| 12 | Bobo croaker | 2,140 |
| 13 | Atlantic bumper | 2,080 |
| 14 | Largehead hairtail | 2,020 |
| 15 | Jacks, crevalles nei | 1,960 |
| 16 | Bearded brotula | 1,770 |
| 17 | Barracudas nei | 1,625 |
| 18 | West African ilisha | 1,590 |
| 19 | Marine fishes nei | 1,370 |
| 20 | Little tunny(=Atl.black skipj) | 1,293 |
| 21 | Royal threadfin | 1,240 |
| 22 | Tonguefishes | 1,170 |
| 23 | Torpedo-shaped catfishes nei | 1,150 |
| 24 | Mullets nei | 1,050 |
| 25 | Freshwater crustaceans nei | 975 |
| 26 | Lesser African threadfin | 955 |
| 27 | Porgies, seabreams nei | 805 |
| 28 | African bonytongue | 770 |
| 29 | Madeiran sardinella | 765 |
| 30 | Atlantic bonito | 687 |
| 31 | Sompat grunt | 680 |
| 32 | Giant African threadfin | 530 |
| 33 | Nile perch | 445 |
| 34 | Scads nei | 420 |
| 35 | Stingrays, butterfly rays nei | 400 |
| 36 | Bigeye tuna | 386 |
| 37 | Rhinofishes nei | 360 |
| 38 | Elephantsnout fishes nei | 340 |
| 39 | West African ladyfish | 320 |
| 40 | Tilefishes nei | 315 |
| 41 | West African Spanish mackerel | 312 |
| 42 | Sea catfishes nei | 310 |
| 43 | Snappers nei | 305 |
| 44 | Cunene horse mackerel | 300 |
| 45 | Pandoras nei | 295 |
| 46 | Tropical spiny lobsters nei | 280 |
| 47 | Cassava croaker | 255 |
| 48 | Upsidedown catfishes | 245 |
| 48 | Blue shark | 245 |
| 50 | Guitarfishes, etc. nei | 225 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.