Jordan's fishing industry is modest due to the country's limited access to water bodies, with only a small coastline along the Gulf of Aqaba and several inland bodies such as the Dead Sea and the Jordan River. The top fish catches in Jordan come primarily from the Red Sea waters near Aqaba, where species such as grouper, snapper, mullet, and rabbitfish are most commonly caught. Inland fishing is limited, with tilapia being the primary species farmed in freshwater aquaculture. Historically, fishing has played a minor role in Jordan’s economy due to scarce water resources, and most fish consumed in the country is imported. However, small-scale artisanal fishing and aquaculture have provided local employment and fresh fish for domestic markets, with ongoing efforts to expand sustainable aquaculture to meet growing demand.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freshwater fishes nei | 420 |
| 2 | Sardinellas nei | 80 |
| 3 | Indo-Pacific sailfish | 35 |
| 4 | Kawakawa | 25 |
| 5 | Skipjack tuna | 20 |
| 8 | Longtail tuna | 10 |
| 8 | Marine fishes nei | 10 |
| 8 | Sobaity seabream | 10 |
| 8 | Yellowfin tuna | 10 |
| 8 | Largehead hairtail | 10 |
| 15 | Emperors(=Scavengers) nei | 5 |
| 15 | Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel | 5 |
| 15 | Gurnards, searobins nei | 5 |
| 15 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 5 |
| 15 | Groupers nei | 5 |
| 15 | Frigate and bullet tunas | 5 |
| 15 | Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei | 5 |
| 15 | Tuna-like fishes nei | 5 |
| 15 | Blue-barred parrotfish | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.