Top Marshall Islands Fish Catches

The Marshall Islands' fishing industry is a vital sector of its economy, primarily centered around tuna fisheries, which are among the nation's top catches. The surrounding Pacific waters are rich in highly migratory species such as skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna, making them the cornerstone of both the commercial and artisanal fishing sectors. The country’s fishing history dates back centuries with traditional subsistence fishing, but the industry expanded significantly in the late 20th century with the establishment of industrial-scale tuna fishing, driven by foreign fishing fleets operating under licensing agreements. In addition to tuna, other important catches include reef fish, marlin, and mahi-mahi, supporting local consumption and small-scale export. Today, the Marshall Islands continues to rely heavily on fishing license revenues and seeks to balance economic benefits with sustainable management of its marine resources.

RankFish SpeciesMetric Tons
1Skipjack tuna71,324
2Yellowfin tuna11,512
3Bigeye tuna5,309
4Marine fishes nei2,800
5Blue shark245
6Blue marlin195
7Albacore150
8Silky shark47
9Black marlin21
10Swordfish15
11Striped marlin12
12Oceanic whitetip shark4
13Mako sharks2
14Hammerhead sharks, etc. nei1

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.