Senegal boasts one of West Africa’s most vibrant fishing industries, with its Atlantic coastline providing abundant marine resources that are vital to the national economy and local livelihoods. The top fish catches in Senegal include small pelagic species such as sardinella, mackerel, and anchovy, as well as demersal species like grouper, snapper, and cuttlefish. The fishing sector, which dates back centuries, has evolved from traditional artisanal practices to include a significant industrial fleet, making fish and seafood among the country’s leading exports. Over time, the industry has faced challenges such as overfishing and competition with foreign fleets, but fishing remains a cornerstone of Senegalese culture and sustenance, employing hundreds of thousands and supplying both domestic and international markets.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madeiran sardinella | 111,655 |
| 2 | Round sardinella | 67,870 |
| 3 | Skipjack tuna | 42,671 |
| 4 | Atlantic chub mackerel | 25,760 |
| 5 | Bonga shad | 24,110 |
| 6 | Carangids nei | 23,775 |
| 7 | Freshwater fishes nei | 20,420 |
| 8 | Jack and horse mackerels nei | 17,870 |
| 9 | Cunene horse mackerel | 12,280 |
| 10 | Sea catfishes nei | 11,950 |
| 11 | Grunts, sweetlips nei | 11,675 |
| 12 | Atlantic bumper | 11,000 |
| 13 | Bigeye grunt | 10,445 |
| 14 | Marine fishes nei | 10,295 |
| 15 | Yellowfin tuna | 9,407 |
| 16 | Mullets nei | 6,730 |
| 17 | Common octopus | 6,605 |
| 18 | Guinean striped mojarra | 6,440 |
| 19 | Octopuses, etc. nei | 5,875 |
| 20 | Volutes nei | 4,995 |
| 21 | Largehead hairtail | 4,920 |
| 22 | Frigate tuna | 4,774 |
| 23 | False scad | 4,365 |
| 24 | Soles nei | 4,130 |
| 25 | Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei | 3,825 |
| 26 | Atlantic bonito | 2,975 |
| 27 | Sardinellas nei | 2,850 |
| 28 | Southern pink shrimp | 2,710 |
| 29 | White grouper | 2,615 |
| 29 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 2,615 |
| 31 | Red pandora | 2,200 |
| 31 | European anchovy | 2,200 |
| 33 | Senegalese hake | 1,985 |
| 34 | Tilapias nei | 1,920 |
| 35 | Sompat grunt | 1,845 |
| 36 | Pandoras nei | 1,830 |
| 37 | Marine crustaceans nei | 1,750 |
| 38 | Deep-water rose shrimp | 1,715 |
| 39 | Cassava croaker | 1,645 |
| 40 | Groupers nei | 1,430 |
| 41 | Blackchin tilapia | 1,385 |
| 42 | Murex | 1,360 |
| 43 | Sargo breams nei | 1,205 |
| 44 | Barracudas nei | 1,160 |
| 45 | Lesser African threadfin | 1,155 |
| 46 | Night shark | 1,025 |
| 47 | Various squids nei | 1,010 |
| 48 | Bearded brotula | 990 |
| 49 | Red porgy | 975 |
| 50 | Conger eels, etc. nei | 930 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.