The Solomon Islands boasts a vibrant fishing industry that is central to its economy and food security, with tuna being the top fish catch and export. The country's vast exclusive economic zone in the Pacific Ocean is rich in skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna, which are primarily harvested by both local and foreign industrial fleets using purse seine and longline methods. In addition to tuna, the Solomon Islands' artisanal and subsistence fisheries target reef fish such as snapper, grouper, and trevally, as well as invertebrates like sea cucumbers and trochus. The fishing industry has deep roots in the islands' history, with traditional fishing practices predating European contact, and it expanded rapidly in the 1970s with the advent of commercial tuna canneries and increased foreign investment. Today, the sector remains a vital source of employment and revenue, although it faces challenges related to overfishing, resource management, and the need for sustainable practices.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skipjack tuna | 26,803 |
| 2 | Yellowfin tuna | 16,664 |
| 3 | Albacore | 2,725 |
| 4 | Bigeye tuna | 1,236 |
| 5 | Blue marlin | 224 |
| 6 | Swordfish | 75 |
| 7 | Hard corals, madrepores nei | 32 |
| 8 | Sea cucumbers nei | 25 |
| 9 | Blue shark | 14 |
| 10 | Black marlin | 12 |
| 11 | Striped marlin | 8 |
| 11 | Trochus shells nei | 8 |
| 13 | Mackerel sharks,porbeagles nei | 7 |
| 14 | Silky shark | 4 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.