The Netherlands has a long and storied history as a maritime nation, with its fishing industry playing a central role in its economic and cultural development since the Middle Ages. Dutch fishermen have traditionally excelled in both coastal and deep-sea fishing, with the North Sea being a primary fishing ground. Today, the top fish catches in the Netherlands include herring, mackerel, plaice, sole, and cod, as well as shellfish such as mussels and shrimp. The Dutch herring fishery, in particular, is renowned for its centuries-old tradition of "Hollandse Nieuwe" (new herring), which remains a national delicacy. The industry has modernized over time, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, making the Netherlands one of Europe's leading fish exporters. Dutch fishing fleets and processing industries are highly efficient, and the country is known for its advanced fish auctions and export infrastructure, ensuring that Dutch seafood reaches markets across the globe.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic herring | 76,140 |
| 2 | Blue whiting(=Poutassou) | 62,764 |
| 3 | Atlantic mackerel | 25,953 |
| 4 | Atlantic horse mackerel | 23,642 |
| 5 | Solid surf clam | 18,577 |
| 6 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 17,164 |
| 7 | Common shrimp | 14,009 |
| 8 | European plaice | 11,292 |
| 9 | Atlantic chub mackerel | 8,848 |
| 10 | Greater argentine | 8,658 |
| 11 | Pod razor shell | 6,520 |
| 12 | Common sole | 4,319 |
| 13 | European squid | 1,649 |
| 14 | Tub gurnard | 1,530 |
| 15 | Norway lobster | 1,277 |
| 16 | Surmullet | 1,148 |
| 17 | Common cuttlefish | 1,096 |
| 17 | Common dab | 1,096 |
| 19 | Whiting | 997 |
| 20 | Turbot | 944 |
| 21 | Boarfish | 822 |
| 22 | European flounder | 788 |
| 23 | Haddock | 772 |
| 24 | Atlantic cod | 603 |
| 25 | European eel | 565 |
| 26 | Beaked redfish | 563 |
| 27 | Edible crab | 409 |
| 28 | Common edible cockle | 399 |
| 29 | Pike-perch | 390 |
| 30 | European hake | 377 |
| 31 | European sprat | 376 |
| 32 | Angler(=Monk) | 343 |
| 33 | Pouting(=Bib) | 317 |
| 34 | Brill | 304 |
| 35 | Whelk | 281 |
| 36 | Lemon sole | 269 |
| 37 | Freshwater bream | 260 |
| 38 | Grey gurnard | 254 |
| 39 | Small-spotted catshark | 245 |
| 40 | European seabass | 226 |
| 41 | Thornback ray | 212 |
| 42 | Greater weever | 202 |
| 43 | Sevenstar flying squid | 178 |
| 44 | Black seabream | 142 |
| 45 | Atlantic bonito | 141 |
| 46 | Red gurnard | 128 |
| 47 | Freshwater fishes nei | 120 |
| 47 | European perch | 120 |
| 49 | Blonde ray | 118 |
| 50 | Madeira lantern fish | 104 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.