French Polynesia’s fishing industry is centered around its vast exclusive economic zone in the South Pacific, where both artisanal and commercial fisheries thrive. The region is renowned for its abundant tuna stocks, particularly skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna, which are the top catches and form the backbone of the country’s export-oriented fishing sector. In addition to tuna, other important species include mahi-mahi, wahoo, and deep-sea snappers. Historically, fishing in French Polynesia was primarily subsistence-based, with traditional methods such as outrigger canoes and fish traps. However, since the late 20th century, the industry has modernized, with longline fleets targeting tuna for export, especially to Japan and the United States. Despite its growth, the industry remains relatively small-scale compared to other Pacific nations, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and the preservation of marine resources, reflecting both economic needs and cultural traditions.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albacore | 4,369 |
| 2 | Yellowfin tuna | 2,319 |
| 3 | Bigeye tuna | 1,405 |
| 4 | Marine fishes nei | 1,300 |
| 5 | Blue marlin | 443 |
| 6 | Skipjack tuna | 435 |
| 7 | Common dolphinfish | 388 |
| 8 | Wahoo | 240 |
| 9 | Oceanic whitetip shark | 197 |
| 10 | Swordfish | 154 |
| 11 | Opah | 74 |
| 11 | Striped marlin | 74 |
| 13 | Silky shark | 53 |
| 14 | Marlins,sailfishes,etc. nei | 32 |
| 15 | Sickle pomfret | 24 |
| 16 | Mako sharks | 18 |
| 17 | Shortbill spearfish | 15 |
| 18 | Black marlin | 9 |
| 19 | Flyingfishes nei | 8 |
| 19 | Tropical spiny lobsters nei | 8 |
| 21 | Elongate giant clam | 4 |
| 23 | Marine crustaceans nei | 3 |
| 23 | Snappers, jobfishes nei | 3 |
| 23 | Indo-Pacific sailfish | 3 |
| 23 | Oilfish | 3 |
| 26 | Roudi escolar | 2 |
| 27 | Thresher sharks nei | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.