Tunisia’s fishing industry has long played a vital role in the country’s coastal economy, with a history stretching back to Phoenician and Roman times when fishing and fish processing were significant trades. Today, the sector remains important, employing thousands and supporting coastal communities. The top fish catches in Tunisia include European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), sardines (Sardina pilchardus), and common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), along with other species such as sea bream, octopus, and tuna. The Mediterranean coastline provides rich fishing grounds, and both artisanal and industrial fleets operate in Tunisian waters. While traditional methods persist, the industry has modernized over time, balancing domestic consumption with exports, particularly to European markets.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 18,800 |
| 2 | Sardinellas nei | 14,700 |
| 3 | Jack and horse mackerels nei | 6,180 |
| 4 | Little tunny(=Atl.black skipj) | 5,827 |
| 5 | Common cuttlefish | 5,550 |
| 6 | Common pandora | 5,230 |
| 7 | Marine fishes nei | 4,345 |
| 8 | Caramote prawn | 4,150 |
| 9 | Red mullet | 3,790 |
| 10 | Mullets nei | 3,715 |
| 11 | Atlantic mackerel | 3,430 |
| 11 | Bogue | 3,430 |
| 13 | Porgies, seabreams nei | 3,420 |
| 14 | Deep-water rose shrimp | 3,225 |
| 15 | Golden grey mullet | 3,095 |
| 16 | Atlantic bluefin tuna | 2,659 |
| 17 | European anchovy | 2,645 |
| 18 | Salema | 2,545 |
| 19 | Gilthead seabream | 2,270 |
| 20 | European hake | 2,215 |
| 21 | Surmullet | 2,210 |
| 22 | Common octopus | 2,100 |
| 23 | Rays, stingrays, mantas nei | 1,965 |
| 24 | Atlantic bonito | 1,832 |
| 25 | Grooved carpet shell | 1,785 |
| 26 | Speckled shrimp | 1,475 |
| 27 | Blackmouth catshark | 1,305 |
| 28 | Common sole | 1,130 |
| 29 | Seabasses nei | 1,110 |
| 30 | Picarels nei | 965 |
| 31 | Common squids nei | 950 |
| 32 | Swordfish | 857 |
| 33 | Scorpionfishes, redfishes nei | 785 |
| 34 | Horned and musky octopuses | 670 |
| 35 | White seabream | 645 |
| 36 | Freshwater fishes nei | 640 |
| 37 | Common dolphinfish | 620 |
| 38 | Gurnards, searobins nei | 490 |
| 39 | Groupers nei | 425 |
| 40 | Bluefish | 415 |
| 41 | Smooth-hounds nei | 410 |
| 42 | Sand steenbras | 385 |
| 43 | Red porgy | 365 |
| 44 | Mediterranean shore crab | 310 |
| 45 | Silversides(=Sand smelts) nei | 300 |
| 45 | Common dentex | 300 |
| 47 | Leerfish | 295 |
| 47 | European eel | 295 |
| 49 | Flathead grey mullet | 235 |
| 50 | Angelshark | 210 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.