Sweden’s fishing industry has long played a vital role in the country’s economy and culture, particularly along its extensive Baltic and North Sea coastlines. The top fish catches in Sweden include herring (Clupea harengus), sprat (Sprattus sprattus), cod (Gadus morhua), and salmon (Salmo salar), with herring and sprat dominating commercial landings. Historically, herring fisheries have been crucial since the Middle Ages, fueling both domestic consumption and export markets, especially during the herring “periods” when stocks were abundant. While the industry has modernized with advanced vessels and sustainable management practices, it faces challenges such as overfishing, environmental changes, and competition from aquaculture. Today, Sweden emphasizes sustainable fishing, with quotas and regulations to protect fish stocks and marine ecosystems, ensuring the continued importance of fishing for both economic and cultural heritage.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | European sprat | 59,319 |
| 2 | Atlantic herring | 55,736 |
| 3 | Sandeels(=Sandlances) nei | 12,260 |
| 4 | Atlantic mackerel | 3,947 |
| 5 | European perch | 2,706 |
| 6 | Euro-American crayfishes nei | 1,766 |
| 7 | Northern pike | 1,744 |
| 8 | Norway lobster | 1,446 |
| 9 | Pike-perch | 1,157 |
| 10 | Saithe(=Pollock) | 1,094 |
| 11 | Northern prawn | 1,084 |
| 12 | Three-spined stickleback | 1,066 |
| 13 | Vendace | 1,025 |
| 14 | Finfishes nei | 1,016 |
| 15 | Arctic char | 852 |
| 16 | Atlantic cod | 747 |
| 17 | Freshwater fishes nei | 697 |
| 18 | Sea trout | 608 |
| 19 | Sticklebacks | 532 |
| 20 | Haddock | 458 |
| 21 | Edible crab | 279 |
| 22 | Angler(=Monk) | 263 |
| 23 | European whitefish | 245 |
| 24 | Grayling | 188 |
| 25 | Freshwater bream | 169 |
| 26 | Atlantic salmon | 160 |
| 27 | Roaches nei | 145 |
| 28 | Marine crabs nei | 137 |
| 29 | European eel | 124 |
| 30 | European hake | 115 |
| 31 | Flatfishes nei | 109 |
| 32 | Norway pout | 99 |
| 32 | Pollack | 99 |
| 34 | European plaice | 88 |
| 34 | Ling | 88 |
| 36 | European flounder | 67 |
| 36 | Whiting | 67 |
| 38 | Witch flounder | 42 |
| 39 | European lobster | 39 |
| 40 | Blue whiting(=Poutassou) | 33 |
| 41 | Turbot | 25 |
| 42 | Atlantic wolffish | 23 |
| 43 | Whitefishes nei | 22 |
| 44 | Roach | 17 |
| 45 | Pacific cupped oyster | 14 |
| 46 | Brill | 12 |
| 47 | Fourhorn sculpin | 11 |
| 48 | Atlantic halibut | 10 |
| 49 | Tusk(=Cusk) | 9 |
| 50 | Common sole | 8 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.