Liberia’s fishing industry is a vital source of food, employment, and income for its coastal communities, with both artisanal and small-scale commercial operations dominating the sector. The country’s top fish catches include species such as bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata), sardines, croakers, groupers, snappers, and barracuda, along with a variety of demersal and pelagic species. Historically, fishing in Liberia has been primarily artisanal, relying on traditional wooden canoes and simple gear, though the sector suffered setbacks during years of civil conflict. In recent years, efforts have been made to rebuild and modernize the industry, improve fisheries management, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Despite challenges, Liberia’s coastal waters remain rich in marine resources, supporting the livelihoods of thousands and contributing significantly to national food security.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madeiran sardinella | 8,168 |
| 2 | West African ilisha | 2,221 |
| 3 | Round sardinella | 2,026 |
| 4 | Longneck croaker | 1,892 |
| 5 | Guachanche barracuda | 1,453 |
| 6 | Bigeye grunt | 1,428 |
| 7 | Atlantic bumper | 1,186 |
| 8 | Marine fishes nei | 1,172 |
| 9 | Morocco dentex | 852 |
| 10 | Cassava croaker | 835 |
| 11 | Atlantic horse mackerel | 700 |
| 12 | Little tunny(=Atl.black skipj) | 506 |
| 13 | Freshwater fishes nei | 500 |
| 14 | Senegalese tonguesole | 447 |
| 15 | Great barracuda | 435 |
| 16 | Crevalle jack | 375 |
| 17 | Sea catfishes nei | 297 |
| 18 | Giant African threadfin | 293 |
| 19 | Daisy stingray | 280 |
| 20 | Mackerels nei | 268 |
| 21 | West African Spanish mackerel | 256 |
| 22 | African pompano | 233 |
| 23 | Alexandria pompano | 222 |
| 24 | Royal threadfin | 214 |
| 25 | African red snapper | 208 |
| 26 | Ballyhoo halfbeak | 205 |
| 27 | Lesser African threadfin | 166 |
| 28 | African sicklefish | 163 |
| 29 | Bobo croaker | 157 |
| 30 | Blue butterfish | 153 |
| 31 | Bonga shad | 151 |
| 32 | Snake eels nei | 140 |
| 33 | Largehead hairtail | 133 |
| 34 | Golden African snapper | 124 |
| 35 | Eagle rays nei | 110 |
| 36 | Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei | 104 |
| 37 | Sompat grunt | 93 |
| 38 | Bluespotted seabream | 87 |
| 39 | Bearded brotula | 81 |
| 40 | Tilefishes nei | 79 |
| 40 | Guitarfishes nei | 79 |
| 42 | Skipjack tuna | 78 |
| 43 | Yellow jack | 75 |
| 44 | Angola rockfish | 74 |
| 45 | Octopuses, etc. nei | 59 |
| 46 | Flyingfishes nei | 49 |
| 47 | Cobia | 35 |
| 48 | Longfin mako | 31 |
| 49 | Penaeid shrimps nei | 30 |
| 49 | Tropical spiny lobsters nei | 30 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.