Top Gambia Fish Catches

The Gambia’s fishing industry is a vital part of the country’s economy and food security, with both artisanal and industrial sectors operating along the Atlantic coast and the Gambia River. The top fish catches in The Gambia include bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata), sardinella, catfish, tilapia, and croaker, with bonga shad being particularly significant for local consumption and export. Historically, fishing in The Gambia was primarily small-scale and community-based, but since the 1970s, the industry has expanded with the introduction of motorized boats and increased foreign investment. Despite its growth, the sector faces challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing by foreign vessels, and inadequate infrastructure, but it remains a cornerstone for employment and nutrition in the country.

Rank	Fish Species	Metric Tons
1	Bonga shad	15,148
2	Sardinellas nei	10,485
3	Sea catfishes nei	3,978
4	Royal threadfin	2,324
5	Southern pink shrimp	2,014
6	Tilapias nei	1,786
7	False scad	1,645
8	Tonguefishes	1,486
9	Cassava croaker	1,310
10	West African ladyfish	1,244
11	Giant African threadfin	1,226
12	Snappers nei	1,160
13	Marine fishes nei	1,152
14	Sompat grunt	1,009
15	Bobo croaker	839
16	Barracudas nei	714
17	Mullets nei	626
18	Jack and horse mackerels nei	600
19	Atlantic chub mackerel	544
20	Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei	510
21	Pompanos nei	484
22	Groupers nei	454
23	Hairtails, scabbardfishes nei	378
24	Pandoras nei	318
25	Lesser African threadfin	297
26	Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei	296
27	African sicklefish	275
27	Jacks, crevalles nei	275
29	Marine crabs nei	234
30	Rubberlip grunt	227
31	Law croaker	180
32	Blue butterfish	128
33	Triggerfishes, durgons nei	114
34	Meagre	90
34	Gastropods nei	90
36	Palinurid spiny lobsters nei	73
37	Puffers nei	68
38	Alexandria pompano	59
39	Parrotfishes nei	44
40	Octopuses, etc. nei	32
41	Bluefish	20
42	Yellowfin tuna	10

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