The United Republic of Tanzania boasts a vibrant fishing industry, primarily centered around its rich freshwater resources, notably Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Nyasa, as well as its Indian Ocean coastline. The top fish catches include Nile perch (Lates niloticus), which dominates Lake Victoria’s commercial fisheries and is a major export commodity, along with tilapia (Oreochromis spp.), dagaa (Rastrineobola argentea, a small sardine-like fish), and various marine species such as prawns and tuna. Fishing in Tanzania has deep historical roots, with traditional artisanal practices dating back centuries, but the industry expanded significantly in the late 20th century following the introduction of Nile perch and the growth of international markets. Today, the sector supports millions of livelihoods, contributes significantly to food security, and remains a vital part of the national economy, despite facing challenges such as overfishing, habitat degradation, and regulatory enforcement.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver cyprinid | 129,942 |
| 2 | Nile perch | 82,337 |
| 3 | Freshwater fishes nei | 60,802 |
| 4 | Dagaas (=Kapenta) | 39,791 |
| 5 | Mouthbrooding cichlids | 37,073 |
| 6 | Freshwater perches nei | 30,218 |
| 7 | Tilapias nei | 17,054 |
| 8 | Sardinellas nei | 7,352 |
| 9 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 5,271 |
| 10 | Octopuses, etc. nei | 4,026 |
| 11 | Ornate spiny lobster | 3,552 |
| 12 | Marine fishes nei | 3,270 |
| 13 | Amberjacks nei | 3,103 |
| 14 | Sea catfishes nei | 2,953 |
| 15 | Yellowfin tuna | 2,784 |
| 16 | Naked catfishes | 2,690 |
| 17 | Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel | 2,640 |
| 18 | Rays, stingrays, mantas nei | 2,632 |
| 19 | Torpedo-shaped catfishes nei | 2,542 |
| 20 | Silky shark | 2,539 |
| 21 | Emperors(=Scavengers) nei | 2,419 |
| 22 | Cobia | 2,398 |
| 23 | Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei | 2,203 |
| 24 | Carangids nei | 2,041 |
| 25 | Frigate and bullet tunas | 1,966 |
| 26 | Indian squid | 1,936 |
| 27 | Groupers nei | 1,845 |
| 28 | Barracudas nei | 1,410 |
| 29 | Fusiliers nei | 1,392 |
| 30 | Cichlids nei | 1,032 |
| 31 | Frigate tuna | 982 |
| 32 | Indo-Pacific sailfish | 973 |
| 33 | Kawakawa | 874 |
| 34 | Whitefin wolf-herring | 822 |
| 35 | Marine shells nei | 781 |
| 36 | Wrasses, hogfishes, etc. nei | 773 |
| 37 | Skipjack tuna | 674 |
| 38 | Red seaweeds | 600 |
| 39 | Indian halibut | 583 |
| 40 | Penaeus shrimps nei | 568 |
| 41 | Goatfishes, red mullets nei | 567 |
| 42 | Halfbeaks nei | 561 |
| 43 | Indian mackerel | 547 |
| 44 | Mullets nei | 462 |
| 45 | Slender silver-biddy | 402 |
| 46 | Surgeonfishes nei | 385 |
| 47 | Bigeye tuna | 359 |
| 48 | Indo-Pacific king mackerel | 251 |
| 49 | Threadfin breams nei | 215 |
| 49 | Albacore | 215 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.