Mauritania’s fishing industry is a vital pillar of its economy, thanks to the country’s rich Atlantic coastline and nutrient-rich upwelling waters. The industry is dominated by both industrial and artisanal fleets, with top catches including small pelagic species such as sardines, mackerel, and sardinella, as well as demersal species like octopus, cuttlefish, and hake. Mauritania’s waters are among the most productive in West Africa, attracting foreign fishing fleets under licensing agreements. The modern fishing industry began to develop in the 1970s, following the nationalization of fisheries and the establishment of the Mauritanian Fish Marketing Company (SMCP). Today, fisheries remain a crucial source of export revenue and employment, though the sector faces challenges related to overfishing, sustainability, and the need for greater local value addition.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 295,205 |
| 2 | Madeiran sardinella | 163,551 |
| 3 | Leaping African mullet | 53,458 |
| 4 | Round sardinella | 44,540 |
| 5 | Marine fishes nei | 38,094 |
| 6 | Octopuses, etc. nei | 32,896 |
| 7 | Pelagic fishes nei | 23,813 |
| 8 | Jack and horse mackerels nei | 15,500 |
| 9 | Freshwater fishes nei | 15,000 |
| 10 | Tuna-like fishes nei | 12,736 |
| 11 | Bonga shad | 10,700 |
| 12 | Flathead grey mullet | 9,690 |
| 13 | Atlantic bumper | 9,130 |
| 14 | Atlantic chub mackerel | 6,400 |
| 15 | Pig's snout volute | 6,220 |
| 16 | West African Spanish mackerel | 6,100 |
| 17 | Demersal percomorphs nei | 4,035 |
| 18 | Mullets nei | 3,990 |
| 19 | Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei | 3,490 |
| 20 | Rough-head sea catfish | 2,640 |
| 21 | Scads nei | 2,540 |
| 22 | Various squids nei | 2,470 |
| 23 | Smoothmouth sea catfish | 2,460 |
| 24 | Penaeus shrimps nei | 1,680 |
| 25 | European anchovy | 1,100 |
| 26 | Gilthead seabream | 1,080 |
| 27 | Rays, stingrays, mantas nei | 1,075 |
| 28 | Rubberlip grunt | 1,050 |
| 29 | Largehead hairtail | 910 |
| 30 | Spotted seabass | 890 |
| 31 | Soles nei | 820 |
| 32 | Deep-water rose shrimp | 810 |
| 33 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 770 |
| 34 | Pink spiny lobster | 690 |
| 35 | Meagre | 660 |
| 36 | Bluespotted seabream | 620 |
| 37 | White grouper | 600 |
| 38 | Red pandora | 570 |
| 39 | Dentex nei | 560 |
| 40 | Marine crustaceans nei | 410 |
| 41 | Porgies, seabreams nei | 330 |
| 42 | Aristeus shrimps nei | 300 |
| 43 | West African geryon | 250 |
| 44 | John dory | 220 |
| 45 | Hakes nei | 100 |
| 46 | Monkfishes nei | 60 |
| 46 | Bluefish | 60 |
| 48 | Groupers, seabasses nei | 40 |
| 49 | Croakers, drums nei | 20 |
| 49 | Canary drum(=Baardman) | 20 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.