Top Somalia Fish Catches

Somalia’s fishing industry, though historically underdeveloped due to decades of conflict and lack of infrastructure, is rich in potential thanks to its extensive coastline—the longest in mainland Africa, stretching over 3,300 kilometers along the Indian Ocean. The country’s top fish catches include tuna (especially yellowfin and skipjack), sardines, mackerel, groupers, snappers, and lobster, with tuna being the most commercially valuable species. Traditionally, fishing in Somalia was small-scale and artisanal, serving local consumption, but in recent years, there has been a gradual shift toward larger-scale operations and export, particularly as stability improves in some regions. Despite challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign vessels, Somalia’s waters remain some of the richest in East Africa, offering significant opportunities for economic growth if sustainable management and investment in infrastructure are pursued.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.