The Princess Parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus) is a vibrantly colored reef fish found primarily in the Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and along the coasts of Florida, the Bahamas, and Central and South America. Recognizable by its bright blue, green, and pink hues, this species plays a crucial ecological role in maintaining healthy coral reefs by grazing on algae. While not a major target for large-scale commercial fisheries, Princess Parrotfish are harvested in small-scale and artisanal fisheries, particularly in Caribbean nations such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic, where they are valued for local consumption. Overfishing and habitat degradation have raised concerns about their populations, prompting some countries to implement regulations or bans on parrotfish harvesting to protect reef ecosystems. The fishing industry for this species is primarily local and subsistence-based, with limited export, reflecting the fish's ecological importance and the growing recognition of its role in sustaining coral reef health.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.