The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was once one of the world’s leading fishing nations, especially during the mid-20th century, with annual catches peaking at over 10 million metric tons in the 1970s and 1980s. The Soviet fishing industry was vast and state-controlled, with a powerful deep-sea fleet operating in the Atlantic, Pacific, and even Antarctic waters. Top species caught included Atlantic herring, Alaska pollock, cod, capelin, and various flatfish, as well as significant quantities of salmon and sturgeon (notably for caviar production). The industry was crucial for food supply and export, with large fish processing plants and a focus on both marine and inland fisheries. After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the fishing sector fragmented among successor states, with Russia inheriting the largest share of the fleet and resources. The Soviet fishing industry left a legacy of technological innovation, but also of overfishing and environmental challenges.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.