Lebanon’s fishing industry, though relatively small compared to other Mediterranean nations, plays a vital role in the livelihoods of many coastal communities. The country’s top fish catches include sardines, mullet, sea bream, and groupers, with sardines being particularly abundant along the Lebanese coast. Artisanal fishing dominates, relying on traditional boats and gear, as the narrow continental shelf limits large-scale commercial operations. Historically, fishing in Lebanon dates back thousands of years, with Phoenician mariners known for their seafaring and fishing skills. Today, the industry faces challenges such as overfishing, pollution, and political instability, but it remains an essential source of fresh seafood for local markets and a cherished part of Lebanon’s coastal culture.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | European anchovy | 410 |
| 2 | White seabream | 270 |
| 3 | Red-eye round herring | 230 |
| 4 | Little tunny(=Atl.black skipj) | 205 |
| 5 | Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei | 195 |
| 6 | Bogue | 180 |
| 7 | Axillary seabream | 145 |
| 8 | Clupeoids nei | 100 |
| 9 | Bluespotted seabream | 95 |
| 10 | Greater amberjack | 85 |
| 11 | Carangids nei | 80 |
| 11 | Common pandora | 80 |
| 13 | Barracudas nei | 75 |
| 13 | Saddled seabream | 75 |
| 15 | Round sardinella | 70 |
| 16 | Silversides(=Sand smelts) nei | 50 |
| 17 | Dusky grouper | 35 |
| 18 | Mottled grouper | 30 |
| 19 | Sand steenbras | 25 |
| 21 | Blue swimming crab | 20 |
| 21 | White grouper | 20 |
| 21 | Large-eye dentex | 20 |
| 21 | Mackerels nei | 20 |
| 25 | Pearly razorfish | 15 |
| 25 | Meagre | 15 |
| 25 | Red mullet | 15 |
| 28 | Natantian decapods nei | 10 |
| 28 | Freshwater fishes nei | 10 |
| 28 | Surmullet | 10 |
| 32 | Randall's threadfin bream | 5 |
| 32 | Cyprinids nei | 5 |
| 32 | Shi drum | 5 |
| 32 | Grey triggerfish | 5 |
| 32 | Blue whiting(=Poutassou) | 5 |
| 32 | Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.