Common Name	Black Grouper	Conservation Notes
Scientific Name	Mycteropa bonaci	Sustainability Information
Market Names	Grouper	Buying Tips
Sushi Name	N/A	Health/Nutrition

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Grouper Market Alert - updated Sept. 2011

Add grouper to the growing list of fish that are getting more and more expensive. This summer, distributors have been selling fresh whole red grouper from the Gulf of Mexico for almost $5/lb, about $1.50/lb. more than last summer. One reason for the increase in price is that are less fish to catch. The quota for red grouper in the Gulf this year has been cut 25% to 4.3 million pounds.  The quota for other Gulf groupers, including black grouper, has also been cut, although not as much.  As a result, total Gulf grouper landings this year will be about 6.2 million pounds, a decrease of 19% from last year’s quota.

Since 2010, the Gulf grouper fishery has been managed under an individual quota system (Gulf red snapper went to an ITQ system in 2007).  The new system gives grouper fishermen more flexibility on when they fish, although the longliners still have to adhere to their summer closures. As of August, about two-thirds of the red grouper quota had been landed, an indication that supplies will remain tight and prices high for the rest of the year.

Don’t expect the Mexican grouper fishery to provide any relief. High octopus prices caused fishermen from the Yucatan to switch from grouper to octopus in August this year, two months earlier than usual. The high octopus prices will likely mean that many Mexican boats won’t be back on grouper until the spring.

Conservation Notes

Life History/Inherent Vulnerability: Grouper are particularly susceptible to fishing pressures due to characteristics such as a long lifespan, site fidelity, dense spawning, and short reproductive periods. Mature grouper tend to come together, making them an easy target for fishermen, removing reproducers and threatening the recovery of depleted stocks, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.

Status of Stocks/Abundance: Black and red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico were once overfished but aren’t any longer. The populations have recovered to sustainable levels and a catch share management plan protects the current stocks, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Red grouper in the South Atlantic is being overfished and its stocks are low, making it a critical conservation concern according to environmental groups that include the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Fishing Impacts on Habitat: The hook-and-line gear used to catch red grouper appears to have minimal impacts on marine habitats, according to the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. The majority of black grouper are caught in the Florida Keys using handlines and bottom longlines. Red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are caught with the same gear, which the Blue Ocean Institute says causes moderate damage to the seafloor.

Bycatch- Nature and Extent: In the Gulf of Mexico, fisheries management measures to include the required use of circle hooks, venting tools, and dehooking devices to prevent endangered sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish from becoming bycatch. The area allowing longlines is limited, and both fish traps and trawl gear are prohibited in the reef fishery. Juvenile grouper are susceptible being killed by shrimp trawlers. Sea turtles and sawfish are vulnerable to handlines and bottom longlines, making bycatch a moderate concern.

Sustainability Information

	Seafood Watch	SeaChoice	FishWise	Blue Ocean Institute	New England Aquarium	Marine Stewardship Council
U.S. Gulf of Mexico Wild-caught	Good Alternative	Some Concerns	Good Alternative	Light Green
U.S. South Atlantic Wild-caught	Avoid	Avoid	Avoid	Light Green

Rating Explanation

Seafood Watch's rating is differentiated by U.S. Gulf of Mexico and U.S. South Atlantic regions while Blue Ocean Institute's rating includes the entire U.S..

Buying Tips

• Grouper is considered a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium
• Grouper is sometimes sold as “sea bass,” “mero” or the Hawaiian name “hapu’u”    
• Grouper is sold fresh and frozen as whole fish, fillets, and steaks
• The fish has firm, lean flesh and a mild flavor
• Grouper is available year-round with peak catches in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico occurring during the summer and fall

Nutrition and Health

 *Due to elevated mercury levels EDF recommends: kids <6 should limit to 1 meal/month; kids age 6-12 should limit to 2 meals/month; women should limit to 3 meals/month; and men should limit to 2 meals/month.

Acknowledgements

• Seafood Watch by Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Blue Ocean Institute
• SeaChoice
• Environmental Defense Fund
• Seafood Choices Alliance