Supply Chain Roundtable
Mexican Snapper and Grouper
Read the Snapper and Grouper Sector Sustainability Update 2021.
The Mexican Snapper and Grouper Supply Chain Roundtable (SR) convenes US importers to collaborate on snapper and grouper sustainability work in the Mexican area of the Gulf of Mexico. The SR monitors the work of existing FIPs in that region and addresses overarching issues, such as insufficient governance and illegal fishing.
Mexico is the fourth-largest snapper and grouper-producing country in the world, accounting for 5% of the global snapper and grouper sector volume.
Mexico is the most important source of imported snapper and grouper to the United States. Mexican snapper and grouper are significant trade commodities, and a substantial amount (primarily from the Gulf of Mexico) is exported to the United States.
A great deal of product (especially that harvested in the Pacific) also remains in the domestic market, which is beginning to engage in sustainability.
Participating companies
- ADR Global Fisheries
- Beacon Fisheries (Paul Johnson, SR Industry Chair)
- Heads or Tails Seafood
- IncredibleFish
- John Nagle Co.
- Local Foods
- Netuno USA
- US Foods/Stock Yards
- Water Street Seafood
2 Active Mexican Snapper & Grouper FIPs in Gulf of Mexico
9 Roundtable Participating Companies
12 % Regional Snapper and Grouper Production Improving
Join This Roundtable
To join this Supply Chain Roundtable or for more information, please contact Megan Westmeyer or call SFP at 1-808-726-2582.
Q3 2025 Update
- All SR participants agreed to provide funding for an analysis of nearly 500 red snapper otoliths to provide more robust data for use in a stock assessment.
- Several SR participants have taken steps to implement the Sustainable Sourcing Policy.
- View the full history of this SR’s activities.
Sector Background
By late 2024, about 12% of global snapper and grouper production was considered sustainable or improving, primarily due to the existence of two large FIPs in Indonesia, the world’s largest producer of snapper and grouper (accounting for more than 40% of global production). FIPs in India, Mexico, and Brazil (the third- fifth- and seventh-largest producers, respectively) also contribute a portion of the improving volume.
The success of T75 in the snapper and grouper sector depends on key production countries, such as Mexico, demonstrating that sustainable management and harvest of snapper and grouper are possible, and expansion of FIPs to a regional or national level.
The snapper and grouper sector comprises the wild and farmed snapper (Lutjanidae family) and grouper (Serranidae family) species. Most snapper and grouper species are coastal demersal fish, generally associated to hard-bottom habitats (rocky or reef areas). Snapper and grouper are highly valuable fish for the US, European, and some Asian markets. These species are generally traded live, fresh (or chilled), or frozen.
Activity & Workplan
Action recommendations for SR participants:
- Expand SR participation.
- Implement the Sustainable Sourcing Policy.
- Ensure adequate participation in improvement efforts.
- Support improvement efforts to address key issues.
SR Workplan
In March 2025, the Mexican Snapper and Grouper SR approved the 2025 workplan.
Join This Roundtable
To join this Supply Chain Roundtable or for more information, please contact Megan Westmeyer or call SFP at 1-808-726-2582.