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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Gray Snapper

© HDAR/Les Hata
SEAFOODRATINGMARKET NAMESWHERE CAUGHTHOW CAUGHT
Gray Snapper Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Uku, Utu, Jobfish Hawaii Wild-caught
Gray, Lane, Mutton, Yellowtail Snapper Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Gray Silk, Mangrove, Rainbow Snapper U.S. Wild-caught
Pink Snapper Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. 'Opakapaka, Palu-enaena Hawaii Hook-and-line
Red Snapper Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Mule Sow, Rat, Tai, American Red Snapper U.S. Gulf of Mexico Wild-caught
Red Snapper Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Red Snapper, American Red Snapper, Night Snapper, Tai Imported Wild-caught
Red Snapper/Squirrelfish Snapper Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Ehu, 'Ula'ula, Palu-malau, Tai Hawaii Hook-and-line
Ruby Snapper/Longtail Snapper Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Onaga, 'Ula'ula koa'e Hawaii Hook-and-line
Silk Snapper Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Silky Snapper, Yellow-eyed Snapper U.S. Gulf of Mexico, U.S. South Atlantic, U.S. Caribbean Wild-caught
Vermilion Snapper Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Beeliners, Night Snappers U.S. Wild-caught


Gray Snapper

Gray snapper populations in Hawaii are moderately depleted, and have experienced overfishing in recent years. The fishing methods used to catch gray snapper result in only minor impacts to habitats and ecosystems. This results in a recommendation of "Good Alternative."

Consumer Note

Gray snapper is sold as uku.

Summary

Snappers have several characteristics, including slow growth rates and small habitat ranges, that make them vulnerable to overfishing. Little is known about their distribution or behavior because they live in deep water.

There are several species of closely related snappers that are fished year-round throughout the Hawaiian Islands. This fishing pressure has led to moderately depleted stocks of gray snapper.

In Hawaii, commercial and recreational snapper fishing is conducted with handlines, a fishing method that is relatively selective, and results in lower amounts of bycatch and habitat damage.

In 2006, the northwestern Hawaiian Islands became a national monument, and due to the high level of protection afforded to this status, all fishing has ended in this area.

Concerns about status of populations as well as bycatch make gray snapper a "Good Alternative."

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