France’s fishing industry has a long and storied history, with its extensive Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines supporting vibrant fishing communities for centuries. The country’s top fish catches include species such as sardine, anchovy, hake, monkfish, sole, and sea bass, as well as shellfish like scallops and oysters. The ports of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Lorient, and Concarneau are among the most important fishing hubs, particularly for Atlantic species. Historically, French fishermen ventured as far as Newfoundland for cod, but today the focus is on sustainable management of local stocks. The industry has modernized significantly, balancing traditional methods with advanced technology, and plays a crucial role in France’s coastal economies and culinary heritage.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skipjack tuna | 63,036 |
| 2 | Great Atlantic scallop | 44,161 |
| 3 | Tangle | 42,359 |
| 4 | Yellowfin tuna | 42,282 |
| 5 | European hake | 29,729 |
| 6 | Atlantic herring | 28,499 |
| 7 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 26,244 |
| 8 | Monkfishes nei | 19,488 |
| 9 | Atlantic mackerel | 18,038 |
| 10 | North European kelp | 17,273 |
| 11 | Blue whiting(=Poutassou) | 14,219 |
| 12 | Saithe(=Pollock) | 11,508 |
| 13 | Whelk | 10,109 |
| 14 | Common cuttlefish | 9,489 |
| 15 | Bigeye tuna | 8,077 |
| 16 | Spinous spider crab | 7,562 |
| 17 | Albacore | 6,437 |
| 18 | Common European bittersweet | 6,265 |
| 19 | Atlantic bluefin tuna | 5,842 |
| 20 | Whiting | 5,696 |
| 21 | Patagonian toothfish | 5,585 |
| 22 | Inshore squids nei | 5,558 |
| 23 | Atlantic cod | 4,995 |
| 24 | Haddock | 4,644 |
| 25 | European conger | 4,535 |
| 26 | Queen scallop | 4,205 |
| 27 | Common sole | 3,587 |
| 28 | Atlantic horse mackerel | 3,460 |
| 29 | Octopuses, etc. nei | 3,346 |
| 30 | Smooth-hounds nei | 3,137 |
| 31 | Pouting(=Bib) | 3,047 |
| 32 | Small-spotted catshark | 3,045 |
| 33 | Common octopus | 2,819 |
| 34 | Norway lobster | 2,656 |
| 35 | Red gurnard | 2,583 |
| 36 | European seabass | 2,522 |
| 37 | Frigate tuna | 2,255 |
| 38 | Megrim | 2,215 |
| 39 | Ling | 2,204 |
| 40 | Surmullet | 2,141 |
| 41 | Megrims nei | 1,900 |
| 42 | Cuckoo ray | 1,892 |
| 43 | Thornback ray | 1,858 |
| 44 | Blue ling | 1,831 |
| 45 | Black seabream | 1,822 |
| 46 | Gilthead seabream | 1,728 |
| 47 | Edible crab | 1,583 |
| 48 | Blonde ray | 1,380 |
| 49 | Little tunny(=Atl.black skipj) | 1,373 |
| 50 | Pollack | 1,353 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.