The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFR Yugoslavia), with its extensive Adriatic coastline and numerous rivers and lakes, developed a significant fishing industry during the 20th century. The country’s top fish catches included sardines (Sardina pilchardus), anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus), and mackerel (Scomber scombrus) from the Adriatic Sea, as well as freshwater species like carp (Cyprinus carpio) and trout (Salmo trutta) from inland waters. The fishing industry saw modernization after World War II, with investments in fleets, processing facilities, and aquaculture, particularly in Croatia and Slovenia. Yugoslavia became known for both its marine and freshwater fisheries, exporting fish products to Western Europe and the Soviet bloc. The industry played a vital role in coastal economies until the country’s dissolution in the early 1990s, after which its fishing legacy was inherited by the successor states.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.