Top Coney Fishing Countries

The coney (Cephalopholis fulva) is a small, colorful grouper species found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and along the coasts of Florida, the Bahamas, and northern South America. Known for its reddish-brown body with distinctive blue spots, the coney inhabits coral reefs and rocky bottoms, often sought after in local artisanal fisheries rather than large-scale commercial operations. The top countries harvesting coney include the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations, where it is valued both for local consumption and as part of the vibrant reef fish trade. While not a major export species globally, coney plays an important role in the livelihoods of small-scale fishers in these regions, contributing to the diversity of catches and supporting the local fishing industry. Sustainable management is crucial, as overfishing and habitat degradation can threaten coney populations and the broader reef ecosystem.

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