Iran, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, has a significant fishing industry centered around its extensive coastlines along the Caspian Sea to the north and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the south. The country’s top fish catches include species such as kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum), mullet, anchovy, carp, and various species of shrimp and tuna. The Caspian Sea is particularly renowned for its sturgeon, the source of the world-famous Iranian caviar, though stocks have declined due to overfishing and environmental pressures. Iran’s fishing industry has a long history, with traditional methods practiced for centuries, but in recent decades, the sector has modernized, with aquaculture and marine fishing both contributing to national production. Today, Iran is among the leading fish producers in the region, with government initiatives supporting sustainable practices and export growth, especially for farmed fish like rainbow trout and shrimp.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian oil sardine | 96,660 |
| 2 | Skipjack tuna | 83,507 |
| 3 | Longtail tuna | 49,993 |
| 4 | Talang queenfish | 38,865 |
| 5 | Yellowfin tuna | 38,821 |
| 6 | Kawakawa | 35,639 |
| 7 | Silver carp | 26,430 |
| 8 | Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel | 25,364 |
| 9 | Largehead hairtail | 23,720 |
| 10 | Common carp | 22,425 |
| 11 | Giant trevally | 22,410 |
| 12 | Black and Caspian Sea sprat | 20,740 |
| 13 | Cyprinids nei | 20,025 |
| 14 | Skinnycheek lanternfish | 18,540 |
| 15 | Barracudas nei | 18,465 |
| 16 | Black marlin | 16,476 |
| 17 | Marine fishes nei | 15,370 |
| 18 | Indo-Pacific sailfish | 14,367 |
| 19 | Common dolphinfish | 12,555 |
| 20 | Spangled emperor | 11,705 |
| 21 | Black pomfret | 10,740 |
| 22 | Indo-Pacific king mackerel | 10,001 |
| 23 | Frigate tuna | 9,580 |
| 24 | Sea catfishes nei | 9,165 |
| 25 | Tigertooth croaker | 9,030 |
| 26 | Natantian decapods nei | 8,880 |
| 27 | Twobar seabream | 8,675 |
| 28 | Javelin grunter | 8,160 |
| 29 | Grass carp(=White amur) | 8,010 |
| 30 | Japanese threadfin bream | 7,785 |
| 31 | John's snapper | 7,700 |
| 32 | Indian halibut | 7,405 |
| 33 | Whitefin wolf-herring | 7,335 |
| 34 | Orange-spotted grouper | 6,465 |
| 35 | Cobia | 6,050 |
| 36 | Kutum | 5,085 |
| 37 | Greater lizardfish | 4,870 |
| 38 | Rays, stingrays, mantas nei | 4,335 |
| 39 | Donkey croaker | 4,000 |
| 40 | Pharaoh cuttlefish | 3,980 |
| 40 | Blue swimming crab | 3,980 |
| 42 | Indian mackerel | 3,885 |
| 43 | Bartail flathead | 3,650 |
| 44 | Bighead carp | 3,205 |
| 45 | Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei | 3,190 |
| 46 | Bluespot mullet | 3,165 |
| 47 | Malabar blood snapper | 3,020 |
| 48 | Spotted sicklefish | 2,675 |
| 49 | Clupeoids nei | 2,595 |
| 50 | Croakers, drums nei | 2,405 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.