Which European countries have the largest fishing fleets?

Which European countries have the largest fishing fleets? - Portugal Business News

Fishing News Europe – Here is the ranking of European countries that have the largest fishing fleets as well as their tonnage, according to a Eurostat report published on February 16, 2026:

1 – What is the number of vessels in the fishing fleets in the EU?

The total number of fishing vessels in the fishing fleets in the EU reaches a total of 68,863 fishing vessels, with a gross tonnage of 1.2 million tonnes and a total engine power of 5.0 million kilowatts in 2024.

2 - Ranking of European countries with the largest fishing fleets:

1 – Italy

Italy ranks No. 1 European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 12,297 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 146,303.

2 – Greece

Greece ranks 2^nd European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 11,452 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 60,112.

3 – Spain

Spain ranks 3^rd European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 8,431 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 307,303.

4 – Croatia

Croatia ranks 4^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 6,860 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 36,779.

5 – Portugal

Portugal ranks 5^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 6,817 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 84,091.

6 – France

France ranks 6^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 5,975 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 152,454.

7 – Finland

Finland ranks 7^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 3,244 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 14,652.

8 – Estonia

Estonia ranks 8^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 2,059 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 16,097.

9 – Ireland

Ireland ranks 9^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 2,019 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 62,850.

10 – Bulgaria

Bulgaria ranks 10^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 1,794 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 5,830.

11 – Denmark

Denmark ranks 11^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 1,767 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 63,554.

12 – Germany

Germany ranks 12^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 1,110 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 59,215.

13 – Malta

Malta ranks 13^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 845 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 6,652.

14 – Cyprus

Cyprus ranks 14^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 821 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 3,792.

15 – Netherlands

The Netherlands ranks 15^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 761 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 98,744.

16 – Sweden

Sweden ranks 16^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 761 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 15,557.

17 – Poland

Poland ranks 17^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 721 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 33,981.

18 – Latvia

Latvia ranks 18^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 659 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 21,727.

19 – Romania

Romania ranks 19^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 165 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 1,660.

20 – Slovenia

Slovenia ranks 20^th European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 134 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 670.

21 – Lithuania

Lithuania ranks 21^st European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 110 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 32,519.

22 – Belgium

Belgium ranks 22^nd European country with the largest fishing fleet, with 61 fishing vessels and a gross tonnage of 13,957.