French Guiana’s fishing industry is a vital part of its economy and culture, focusing primarily on both marine and freshwater species. The coastal waters and extensive river systems yield significant catches of shrimp (notably pink shrimp, *Penaeus brasiliensis*), snapper, catfish, and tarpon, with shrimp being the most valuable export product. Artisanal fishing remains prevalent, especially along the Maroni and Oyapock rivers, where local communities target species like arapaima and various cichlids. The industry began to develop commercially in the mid-20th century, particularly with the rise of shrimp trawling, which attracted both local and foreign investment. Today, French Guiana’s fisheries face challenges from overfishing, illegal fishing by foreign vessels, and the need for sustainable management, but they continue to play a crucial role in local livelihoods and food security.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acoupa weakfish | 680 |
| 2 | Green weakfish | 477 |
| 3 | Penaeus shrimps nei | 317 |
| 4 | Crucifix sea catfish | 313 |
| 5 | Tripletail | 211 |
| 6 | Smalltooth weakfish | 117 |
| 7 | Snooks(=Robalos) nei | 32 |
| 8 | Marine fishes nei | 31 |
| 9 | Atlantic goliath grouper | 28 |
| 10 | Tarpon | 19 |
| 11 | Seerfishes nei | 18 |
| 12 | Crevalle jack | 12 |
| 13 | Softhead sea catfish | 10 |
| 14 | Snappers nei | 9 |
| 15 | Weakfishes nei | 7 |
| 16 | Torroto grunt | 3 |
| 17 | Stingrays, butterfly rays nei | 2 |
| 17 | Various sharks nei | 2 |
| 19 | Gillbacker sea catfish | 1 |
| 19 | Coco sea catfish | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.