Supply Chain Roundtable
Mexican Snapper and Grouper
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 and ensures that market demands align with sustainability. In March 2025, the SR approved implementation of a Sustainable Sourcing Policy that includes two basic requirements intended to foster a market for sustainable products. First, SR participants will prioritize sourcing from Mexican companies participating in fishery improvement projects (FIPs). Second, SR participants will implement voluntary minimum size limits on several key species, increasing the likelihood that fish have had the opportunity to reproduce before being harvested (see below for more information).
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
- John Nagle Co.
- Local Foods
- Netuno USA
- Water Street Seafood
2 Active Mexican Snapper & Grouper FIPs in Gulf of Mexico
3 Roundtable Participating Companies
4 % Regional Snapper and Grouper Production Improving
Q1 2026 Update
- The Mexican Snapper and Grouper SR met in Boston in March. The purpose of this meeting was to evaluate the results of the first year of implementation of the Sustainable Sourcing Policy, review progress of the FIPs in Mexico, discuss the changing landscape of sustainable seafood funding, and consider the future work of this group. Key points from the meeting are:
- The Sourcing Policy compliance verification was completed in February 2026. The FIP sourcing requirement led to voluntary withdrawal of three SR participants earlier in 2025, and by January 2026 five of seven remaining SR participants had at least one major supplier participating in a FIP. The remaining two SR participants were engaged in ongoing conversations about FIP participation with suppliers and were granted an extension in compliance with the FIP sourcing requirement. The FIP sourcing requirement did successfully incentivize one new Mexican processor to join a FIP in 2025. Compliance with the voluntary minimum size limits was good, with all SR participants having at least 95% of purchases above the minimum size limits. Several participants will work to further reduce occasional purchases of undersized fish in 2026.
- FIPs in Mexico are making steady progress. The Yucatan Grouper FIP is regularly reporting activity and reported impacts recently. The Gulf Finfish FIP is regularly reporting activities but hasn’t reported any impacts recently. In addition, EDF continues to make progress on the Grouper Recovery Plan activities, working with producers on science, management and traceability.
- Philanthropic foundations have been funding the sustainable seafood movement for the past 30 years but are now shifting their charitable giving to new areas/topics. They expect the seafood industry to take a larger role in funding sustainability. SFP is experiencing decreases in grants and expects further reductions. As such, SFP will begin charging a participation fee for this SR. Half of the funds will be used by SFP for SR secretariat services, half will be regranted to on-the-ground projects selected by SR participants. SFP will also develop an SR Sponsorship program, through which non-SR participants can make contributions to support the work being undertaken by the SR and defray the cost of the participation fee.
- Due to the limited market demand for sustainable snapper and grouper and the limited leverage of this SR over the production in Mexico, the future work of this SR will focus on supporting fisheries improvement work in Mexico through supply chain/government relationships, sourcing decisions, and direct financial contributions.
- View the full history of this SR’s activities.
Sector Background
By late 2025, about 1.3% of global snapper and grouper production was considered sustainable or improving, primarily due to the existence of one large FIP in Indonesia, the world’s largest producer of snapper and grouper (accounting for more than 40% of global production). FIPs in Mexico and Brazil (the 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
In March 2025, the SR approved implementation of a Sustainable Sourcing Policy that includes two basic requirements intended to foster a market for sustainable products. First, SR participants will prioritize sourcing from Mexican companies participating in fishery improvement projects (FIPs). Second, SR participants will implement voluntary minimum size limits on several key species, increasing the likelihood that fish have had the opportunity to reproduce before being harvested. While we recognize that these actions alone will not achieve a sustainable fishery, we are committed to creating a market that encourages and rewards sustainably managed fisheries. Below are links to the signed Sustainable Sourcing Policies for each active SR participant:
- ADR Global Fisheries
- Beacon Fisheries
- Heads or Tails Seafood
- John Nagle Co.
- Local Foods
- Netuno USA
- US Foods/Stock Yards
- Water Street Seafood
SR Workplan
In March 2025, the Mexican Snapper and Grouper SR approved the 2025 workplan, including the following actions:
- Expand SR participation
- Implement the Sustainable Sourcing Policy
- Ensure adequate participation in improvement efforts
- Support improvement efforts to address key issues.
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.