Top Silk Snapper Fishing Countries

The silk snapper (Lutjanus vivanus) is a vibrant, deep-bodied reef fish found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from North Carolina and Bermuda down through the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and as far south as Brazil. Renowned for its firm, mild-flavored flesh, the silk snapper is a prized catch in both commercial and recreational fisheries. The top countries harvesting silk snapper include the United States (particularly Florida and the Gulf Coast), Cuba, the Bahamas, and various Caribbean nations such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. In these regions, the fishing industry employs a combination of handlines, bottom longlines, and traps to target silk snapper, which are often sold fresh in local markets or exported. Sustainable management is crucial, as silk snapper populations are vulnerable to overfishing due to their slow growth and late maturity, prompting many countries to implement catch limits and gear restrictions to ensure the longevity of this valuable resource.

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