Profile updated on 26 October 2023
SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)
Epinephelus morio
SPECIES NAME(s)
Red grouper
COMMON NAMES
Red grouper, Mero
Genetic analyses have shown low genetic variation across Red grouper’s (Epinephelus morio) US and Mexican distribution suggesting the existence of a single stock, but not ruling out the possibility of several reproductively distinct stocks, supported by distribution discontinuity and life-history traits (Richardson and Gold 1997) (Zatcoff et al. 2004) (Chen 2017). Until further studies become available, we are using the former structure. Other reports suggested that Mexican and US stocks are minimally connected (SEDAR 2015), and other that both US management regions have the potential for ecological connectivity (Bernard et al. 2020). Distinct stock assessments are conducted, by both US organizations (GMFMC, SAFMC) and also by Mexican entities. Red grouper is the main species of a multispecies fishery.
Image: Everman, Barton W .; Marsh, Millard C. (1902) via WikiMedia
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Management Quality:
< 6 to ≥ 8
< 6 to 10.0
< 6 to 10.0
Smale-Scale Fisheries: