The Mozambican government forecasts stagnation in the fishing sector in 2026, with a marginal growth of 0.3% in catches, reaching 549,500 tonnes, led by the artisanal sector, according to official data cited by Lusa. The projections point to a year of limited expansion compared to the growth recorded in 2025.
According to the government report, artisanal fishing will continue to dominate total volume but is expected to decline by 0.2%, to 512,900 tonnes, compared to the 7% growth expected for 2025, which stood at 514,200 tonnes, including 9,636 tonnes of shark.
Within the artisanal sector, lobster catches are expected to increase by 2%, reaching 799 tonnes, and crab by 2%, to 8,702 tonnes. Fish production, captured both in marine and freshwater environments, is projected to reach 440,000 tonnes, keeping the sector as the main driver of fisheries activity.
Shark catches in artisanal fisheries are also expected to grow by 2% in 2026, to 9,829 tonnes. Meanwhile, industrial fishing is projected to increase by 15%, to 17,700 tonnes, including 3,154 tonnes of shrimp (up 8%) and 280 tonnes of lobster (up 5% compared to 2025).
In the semi-industrial segment, no changes are expected, maintaining the target of 8,250 tonnes, while aquaculture is projected to grow by 3%, to 10,600 tonnes. These figures indicate limited growth despite the sector’s expansion potential.
Fisheries production in Mozambique grew by 6% in 2024, reaching 372,200 tonnes of fish by the third quarter, but fell short of the annual target of 522,700 tonnes.
The artisanal sector continues to account for the majority of annual volume, involving nearly 400,000 people and over 42,000 vessels in inland and marine waters, according to the 2022 Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Census (CEPAA 2022). This survey covered all territorial areas except certain zones in Cabo Delgado due to insecurity.
The CEPAA 2022 recorded 397,700 people in artisanal fisheries, including 110,500 fishers with vessels, 164,400 without vessels, and 122,700 professionals in other parts of the value chain. Aquaculture involved 21,800 operators and 11,400 production units, of which 10,500 were tanks, mostly for subsistence or artisanal purposes.
