Sierra Leone’s fishing industry is a vital component of its economy and food security, with both artisanal and industrial sectors operating along its Atlantic coastline. The country’s top fish catches include species such as bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata), sardines, snapper, grouper, and cuttlefish, with bonga being particularly important for local consumption and trade. The fishing industry has deep historical roots, with traditional fishing communities relying on rich marine resources for centuries. Since the 1970s, industrial fishing—often dominated by foreign fleets—has expanded, targeting high-value species for export. However, the sector faces challenges such as overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and inadequate management, which threaten sustainability. Despite these issues, fishing remains a crucial livelihood for many Sierra Leoneans and a key contributor to national nutrition and employment.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonga shad | 90,180 |
| 2 | Sardinellas nei | 27,850 |
| 3 | Bobo croaker | 12,430 |
| 4 | Marine fishes nei | 11,250 |
| 5 | West African ilisha | 8,180 |
| 6 | Sea catfishes nei | 6,560 |
| 7 | Bigeye grunt | 5,510 |
| 8 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 3,580 |
| 9 | Barracudas nei | 3,210 |
| 10 | White grouper | 3,120 |
| 11 | Lesser African threadfin | 3,010 |
| 12 | Giant African threadfin | 2,870 |
| 13 | Law croaker | 2,780 |
| 14 | Scads nei | 2,740 |
| 15 | Porgies, seabreams nei | 2,730 |
| 16 | Grunts, sweetlips nei | 2,420 |
| 17 | Mullets nei | 2,320 |
| 18 | Carangids nei | 2,310 |
| 19 | Cunene horse mackerel | 2,270 |
| 20 | West African croakers nei | 2,240 |
| 21 | Freshwater fishes nei | 2,040 |
| 22 | Jacks, crevalles nei | 2,030 |
| 23 | Tuna-like fishes nei | 1,930 |
| 24 | Tonguefishes | 1,460 |
| 25 | African sicklefish | 1,220 |
| 26 | Rays, stingrays, mantas nei | 1,160 |
| 27 | Alexandria pompano | 1,130 |
| 28 | Largehead hairtail | 890 |
| 29 | Marine crabs nei | 850 |
| 30 | Flagfin mojarra | 590 |
| 31 | Marine molluscs nei | 510 |
| 32 | West African goatfish | 500 |
| 32 | Royal threadfin | 500 |
| 34 | Penaeus shrimps nei | 480 |
| 35 | Bonefish | 450 |
| 36 | Boe drum | 380 |
| 37 | Atlantic bumper | 300 |
| 38 | African moonfish | 210 |
| 39 | Snappers nei | 200 |
| 40 | Atlantic bonito | 160 |
| 41 | Guinea shrimp | 120 |
| 42 | Dungat grouper | 110 |
| 42 | Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei | 110 |
| 44 | Tropical spiny lobsters nei | 90 |
| 44 | European anchovy | 90 |
| 46 | Triggerfishes, durgons nei | 30 |
| 46 | Octopuses, etc. nei | 30 |
| 48 | Various squids nei | 10 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.