Top Colorado Snapper Fishing Countries

The Colorado snapper, also known as the Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus colorado), is a prized marine fish found primarily in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from southern California to Peru, including the Gulf of California. Recognized for its vibrant reddish coloration and firm, flavorful flesh, this snapper is a popular target for both commercial and recreational fisheries. The top countries harvesting Colorado snapper are Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru, where it supports significant local fishing industries. In Mexico, particularly along the Pacific coast and in the Gulf of California, the species is an important component of artisanal and commercial catches, often landed by small-scale fishers using handlines and bottom longlines. Ecuador and Peru also maintain active snapper fisheries, with the fish sold fresh in local markets and exported to international destinations. Sustainable management is increasingly emphasized due to concerns about overfishing and habitat degradation in these regions.

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