Top Guinea Bissau Fish Catches

Guinea-Bissau’s fishing industry is a vital pillar of its economy, thanks to the country’s rich coastal waters and extensive mangrove ecosystems. The top fish catches include pelagic species such as sardines, mackerel, and sardinella, as well as demersal species like croaker, sea bream, and catfish. Shrimp and cuttlefish are also significant, especially for export. Fishing in Guinea-Bissau has a long history, traditionally dominated by artisanal fishers using small boats and simple gear, but the sector has grown with the arrival of foreign industrial fleets, particularly from Europe and Asia, operating under licensing agreements. Despite its potential, the industry faces challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing, and limited infrastructure, but it remains crucial for local livelihoods, food security, and national revenue.

Rank	Fish Species	Metric Tons
1	Sardinellas nei	47,470
2	Jacks, crevalles nei	3,735
3	Marine fishes nei	2,625
4	Grunts, sweetlips nei	2,425
5	Largehead hairtail	1,315
6	Atlantic chub mackerel	1,210
6	Bigeye grunt	1,210
8	Atlantic bumper	655
9	Carangids nei	485
10	Red pandora	425
10	Tunas nei	425
12	African sicklefish	315
13	Barracudas nei	240
14	Sompat grunt	190
15	Lesser African threadfin	175
16	Freshwater fishes nei	150
17	Bobo croaker	130
18	Meagre	100
18	Croakers, drums nei	100
20	Dentex nei	55
22	Giant African threadfin	50
22	West African goatfish	50
22	Sea catfishes nei	50
24	Flatfishes nei	40
25	African moonfish	30
27	Marine crabs nei	20
27	Cusk-eels, brotulas nei	20
27	Flagfin mojarra	20
30	Scorpionfishes, redfishes nei	15
30	West African ladyfish	15
30	Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei	15
30	Common octopus	15
34	Scalloped hammerhead	10
34	Leerfish	10
34	Volutes nei	10
38	Longfin pompano	5
38	Senegalese hake	5
38	Southern pink shrimp	5
38	Spottail spiny turbot	5
38	Angler(=Monk)	5
38	John dory	5

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