Sri Lanka’s fishing industry is a vital part of its economy and culture, with a history stretching back thousands of years due to its island geography and abundant marine resources. The country’s top fish catches include tuna (notably skipjack and yellowfin), mackerel, sardines, seer fish (Spanish mackerel), and shrimp, along with a variety of reef fish such as groupers and snappers. The industry is characterized by both coastal small-scale fisheries and offshore commercial operations, employing over two million people directly and indirectly. Traditional fishing methods, such as stilt fishing and outrigger canoes, coexist with modern mechanized boats. Since ancient times, Sri Lankans have relied on the sea for food and trade, and today, fish remains a staple in the national diet as well as a significant export commodity, with tuna products especially sought after in international markets.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clupeoids nei | 48,398 |
| 2 | Scads nei | 44,147 |
| 3 | Tilapias nei | 31,164 |
| 4 | Skipjack tuna | 30,652 |
| 5 | Yellowfin tuna | 30,038 |
| 6 | Freshwater fishes nei | 26,646 |
| 7 | Marine crustaceans nei | 14,330 |
| 8 | Mackerels nei | 13,299 |
| 9 | Marine fishes nei | 12,686 |
| 10 | Demersal percomorphs nei | 12,470 |
| 11 | Rainbow runner | 10,140 |
| 12 | Carangids nei | 9,810 |
| 13 | Triggerfishes, durgons nei | 6,310 |
| 14 | Frigate tuna | 6,293 |
| 15 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 4,768 |
| 16 | Cuttlefish, bobtail squids nei | 4,630 |
| 17 | Bigeye tuna | 4,627 |
| 18 | Sea cucumbers nei | 4,200 |
| 19 | Swordfish | 3,380 |
| 20 | Marine molluscs nei | 2,855 |
| 21 | Kawakawa | 1,803 |
| 22 | Tuna-like fishes nei | 1,715 |
| 23 | Marlins,sailfishes,etc. nei | 1,639 |
| 24 | Black marlin | 1,273 |
| 25 | Indo-Pacific sailfish | 1,219 |
| 26 | Rays, stingrays, mantas nei | 778 |
| 27 | Blue marlin | 725 |
| 28 | Bullet tuna | 657 |
| 29 | Common dolphinfish | 346 |
| 30 | Marine shells nei | 285 |
| 31 | Blue shark | 279 |
| 32 | Silky shark | 242 |
| 33 | Wahoo | 241 |
| 34 | Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel | 158 |
| 35 | Striped marlin | 109 |
| 36 | Albacore | 106 |
| 37 | Seerfishes nei | 85 |
| 38 | Longtail tuna | 68 |
| 39 | Mako sharks | 38 |
| 40 | Mantas, devil rays nei | 14 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.