Indonesia boasts one of the world’s largest and most diverse fishing industries, thanks to its expansive archipelago and rich marine biodiversity. The country is a global leader in fish production, with top catches including tuna (especially skipjack and yellowfin), mackerel, anchovy, sardine, and shrimp. Indonesia’s fishing industry dates back centuries, with traditional fishing communities relying on artisanal methods, but it has rapidly modernized since the mid-20th century, becoming a major exporter of seafood. Today, both small-scale and large-scale commercial fisheries operate across Indonesian waters, contributing significantly to the national economy and providing livelihoods for millions. Sustainable management remains a challenge, as overfishing and illegal fishing threaten some fish stocks, but Indonesia continues to innovate in fisheries governance and marine conservation.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scads nei | 492,397 |
| 2 | Skipjack tuna | 406,771 |
| 3 | Indian mackerels nei | 280,804 |
| 4 | Yellowfin tuna | 269,843 |
| 5 | Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel | 248,024 |
| 6 | Marine fishes nei | 230,762 |
| 7 | Frigate tuna | 210,720 |
| 8 | Longtail tuna | 201,600 |
| 9 | Carangids nei | 193,178 |
| 10 | Groupers, seabasses nei | 191,853 |
| 11 | Common squids nei | 188,725 |
| 12 | Snappers nei | 175,352 |
| 13 | Goldstripe sardinella | 174,157 |
| 14 | Kawakawa | 156,309 |
| 15 | Goatfishes | 152,361 |
| 16 | Yellowstripe scad | 138,699 |
| 17 | Snappers, jobfishes nei | 131,759 |
| 18 | Anchovies, etc. nei | 123,226 |
| 19 | Sea catfishes nei | 110,668 |
| 20 | Ponyfishes(=Slipmouths) nei | 105,266 |
| 21 | Blue swimming crab | 97,097 |
| 22 | Metapenaeus shrimps nei | 95,506 |
| 23 | Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei | 88,512 |
| 24 | Mullets nei | 87,297 |
| 25 | Stolephorus anchovies nei | 82,442 |
| 26 | Blood cockle | 75,880 |
| 27 | Indian mackerel | 64,034 |
| 28 | Threadfin breams nei | 63,335 |
| 29 | Bigeye tuna | 61,235 |
| 30 | Black pomfret | 57,174 |
| 31 | Penaeid shrimps nei | 54,998 |
| 32 | Bigeye scad | 53,954 |
| 33 | Grey large-eye bream | 53,770 |
| 34 | Hairtails, scabbardfishes nei | 53,132 |
| 35 | Bali sardinella | 53,011 |
| 36 | Fourfinger threadfin | 53,006 |
| 37 | Jacks, crevalles nei | 51,166 |
| 38 | Butterfishes, pomfrets nei | 50,830 |
| 39 | Croakers, drums nei | 50,528 |
| 40 | Nile tilapia | 49,536 |
| 41 | Marine crabs nei | 48,381 |
| 42 | Brown seaweeds | 46,984 |
| 43 | Spotted sardinella | 46,417 |
| 44 | Sweetlips, rubberlips nei | 45,608 |
| 45 | Striped snakehead | 45,285 |
| 46 | Wolf-herrings nei | 45,089 |
| 47 | Red seaweeds | 42,000 |
| 48 | Threadfin and dwarf breams nei | 40,475 |
| 49 | Sergestid shrimps nei | 40,070 |
| 50 | Barramundi(=Giant seaperch) | 39,287 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.