Top Suriname Fish Catches

Suriname’s fishing industry is a vital part of its economy and culture, centered primarily along its Atlantic coastline and extensive river systems. The country’s top fish catches include Atlantic seabob shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri), which is Suriname’s most valuable export species, along with important finfish such as snapper, catfish (notably the “kwikwi” or Hoplosternum littorale), and weakfish (Cynoscion spp.). The industry began to develop commercially in the mid-20th century, evolving from small-scale artisanal fishing by Indigenous and Maroon communities to a modern sector with both local consumption and significant exports, especially to the United States and Europe. Today, Suriname’s fishing industry combines traditional practices with industrial trawling, while facing ongoing challenges of sustainability, resource management, and competition from neighboring countries.

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