Greece has a rich fishing tradition that dates back thousands of years, with its extensive coastline and numerous islands providing ideal conditions for both small-scale and commercial fisheries. The Greek fishing industry is dominated by catches from the Aegean and Ionian Seas, with top species including sardines (Sardina pilchardus), anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), sea bream (Sparus aurata), and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Historically, Greek fishing was primarily artisanal, supporting local communities and diets, but the industry modernized in the 20th century with the introduction of trawlers and aquaculture, especially for sea bream and sea bass, which are now major export products. Despite challenges such as overfishing and competition from other Mediterranean countries, Greece remains a significant producer of both wild-caught and farmed fish, with fisheries playing an important role in the nation’s economy and culinary heritage.
Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
---|---|---|
1 | European anchovy | 12,818 |
2 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 7,770 |
3 | European hake | 4,161 |
4 | Deep-water rose shrimp | 3,934 |
5 | Marine fishes nei | 3,555 |
6 | Bogue | 2,726 |
7 | Common octopus | 2,276 |
8 | Round sardinella | 1,925 |
9 | Atlantic chub mackerel | 1,827 |
10 | Red mullet | 1,671 |
11 | Mediterranean horse mackerel | 1,663 |
12 | Flathead grey mullet | 1,506 |
13 | Mediterranean shore crab | 1,432 |
14 | Common cuttlefish | 1,239 |
15 | Surmullet | 1,052 |
16 | Broadtail shortfin squid | 762 |
17 | Picarel | 725 |
18 | Red porgy | 716 |
19 | Gilthead seabream | 700 |
20 | Atlantic bonito | 659 |
21 | Little tunny(=Atl.black skipj) | 644 |
22 | Common pandora | 642 |
23 | European squid | 576 |
24 | Monkfishes nei | 568 |
25 | Greater amberjack | 504 |
26 | Blue whiting(=Poutassou) | 495 |
27 | Atlantic bluefin tuna | 424 |
28 | Scorpionfishes, redfishes nei | 423 |
29 | Saddled seabream | 403 |
30 | European seabass | 374 |
31 | Swordfish | 371 |
32 | Caramote prawn | 363 |
33 | Norway lobster | 305 |
34 | Common sole | 299 |
35 | Rays, stingrays, mantas nei | 285 |
36 | Common dentex | 280 |
37 | Frigate and bullet tunas | 273 |
38 | Horned and musky octopuses | 269 |
39 | White seabream | 268 |
40 | Marine crustaceans nei | 255 |
41 | Salema | 251 |
42 | Clams, etc. nei | 249 |
43 | Large-eye dentex | 225 |
44 | Goldfish | 210 |
45 | Common carp | 202 |
46 | Bluefish | 195 |
47 | Blotched picarel | 179 |
48 | Freshwater fishes nei | 177 |
49 | Mediterranean mussel | 174 |
50 | Comber | 163 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.