Top American Crocodile Fishing Countries

The American crocodile (*Crocodylus acutus*) is a large, primarily coastal reptile native to the Americas, inhabiting brackish and saltwater habitats such as river estuaries, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps from southern Florida through the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. While not a fish, the American crocodile has historically been targeted for its valuable skin and, to a lesser extent, meat, rather than for sport or commercial fishing in the traditional sense. The primary countries where American crocodiles have been harvested include Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and parts of Central America such as Belize and Honduras. In the past, unregulated hunting led to dramatic population declines, prompting strict conservation measures and international protection under CITES. Today, legal commercial exploitation is rare, with most countries focusing on conservation, research, and limited sustainable ranching programs rather than open fishing or hunting.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.