The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) boasts a vibrant fishing industry that is a cornerstone of its economy and culture. The nation’s vast exclusive economic zone in the western Pacific is rich in marine biodiversity, with tuna—particularly skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye—dominating commercial catches. Industrial tuna fishing, primarily through purse seining and longlining, is largely conducted by foreign fleets under access agreements, providing significant revenue for the country. In addition to tuna, local fisheries harvest reef fish, sea cucumbers, and trochus shells for subsistence and small-scale export. The fishing industry’s roots trace back centuries, with traditional methods sustaining communities long before modern commercial exploitation began in the late 20th century. Today, FSM continues to balance economic development from fishing with efforts to ensure sustainability and preserve marine resources for future generations.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skipjack tuna | 128,195 |
| 2 | Yellowfin tuna | 29,818 |
| 3 | Marine fishes nei | 10,400 |
| 4 | Bigeye tuna | 7,738 |
| 5 | Albacore | 1,473 |
| 6 | Blue shark | 173 |
| 7 | Trochus shells nei | 150 |
| 8 | Blue marlin | 117 |
| 9 | Silky shark | 42 |
| 9 | Swordfish | 42 |
| 11 | Octopuses, etc. nei | 20 |
| 11 | Tropical spiny lobsters nei | 20 |
| 13 | Black marlin | 13 |
| 14 | Oceanic whitetip shark | 12 |
| 15 | Mako sharks | 8 |
| 16 | Freshwater fishes nei | 5 |
| 16 | Indo-Pacific swamp crab | 5 |
| 18 | Striped marlin | 2 |
| 18 | Thresher sharks nei | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.