The Cardinal Snapper, commonly referred to as Pristipomoides macrophthalmus, is a deepwater species prized for its firm, white flesh and is found primarily in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. This species is typically caught using bottom longlines and handlines at depths ranging from 100 to 400 meters. The top countries engaged in harvesting Cardinal Snapper are the United States (notably Florida and the Gulf Coast), Cuba, the Bahamas, and several Caribbean nations such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. These countries have developed robust commercial and artisanal fisheries targeting deepwater snappers, with the catch often destined for both local consumption and export markets. The fishing industry in these regions is regulated to ensure sustainability, given the slow growth and late maturity of Cardinal Snapper, which makes them vulnerable to overfishing.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puerto Rico | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.