Top California Sheephead Fishing Countries

The California sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher) is a colorful and robust wrasse native to the rocky reefs and kelp forests along the Pacific coast of North America, primarily from Monterey Bay, California, to the Gulf of California, Mexico. Recognized for its striking black, white, and reddish-pink coloration and prominent canine teeth, this species plays a vital ecological role as a predator of sea urchins and other invertebrates. The commercial and recreational fishing of California sheephead is concentrated in the United States, especially in Southern California, and Mexico’s Baja California region. These two countries are the primary harvesters, with the U.S. focusing on live-fish markets and Mexico supporting both local consumption and export. While not a major global fishery, the sheephead is locally important, and both nations have implemented regulations to manage stocks due to concerns about overfishing and the species’ slow growth and late maturity.

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