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
10 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.
Q1 2023 Update:
- An SR meeting was held in March in Boston during Seafood Expo North America. The purpose of the meeting was to update the SR on the lack of progress on the workplan activities during 2022 and discuss how to increase engagement of SR participants during 2023. A meeting report is available here.
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:
- Support progress in snapper and grouper FIPs and help them to expand coverage and participation.
- Develop a Sustainable Sourcing Policy for the SR.
- Help SFP expand the SR to include additional US importers of Mexican snapper and grouper.
SR Workplan
In May 2022, the Mexican Snapper and Grouper SR approved the 2022-23 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.