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, contributing five percent 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 is a significant trade commodity, 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.
See a list of all SR members.
2 Active Mexican Snapper & Grouper FIPs in Gulf of Mexico
12 Roundtable Participating Companies
10 % Regional Snapper and Grouper Production Improving
Roundtable Participants
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 2023 Update:
- The July report of the Yucatan Grouper FIP announced the expansion of the FIP to include three new industry participants in Mexico: Grupo Zaso, Gulf Fresh, and Encervsa.
- A Fishery Improvements Portfolio virtual meeting for SR participants and their Mexican suppliers was held in late July. This meeting provided an opportunity for 10 U.S. importers and 10 Mexican producers/processors to better understand the opportunities for supporting improvement activities in Mexican snapper and grouper fisheries, including the Mexican Snapper & Grouper SR, Yucatan Grouper FIP, Campeche Snapper FIP, and Grouper Recovery Plan. The goal of the meeting was to further increase Mexican industry participation in FIPs and other improvement efforts for Mexican snapper and grouper fisheries.
- To view the full history of this SR’s activities click here.
Sector Background
By late 2021, about 13 percent of the global snapper and grouper production was considered sustainable or improving, primarily due to the existence of two FIPs in Indonesia, the world’s largest producer of snapper and grouper (accounting for more than 40 percent of world production). FIPs in Mexico and Brazil (the fourth- and seventh-largest producers, respectively) also contribute a portion of the improving volume.
The success of T75 in the snapper and grouper sector depends upon key production countries, such as Mexico, to demonstrate that sustainable management and harvest of snapper and grouper is possible and to expand 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 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.
- Develop a Sustainable Sourcing Policy.
- Ensure adequate support of improvement efforts.
SR Workplan
In May 2023, the Mexican Snapper and Grouper SR approved the 2023 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.