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Which fish and shellfish are important to commercial fishing in the Gulf of Mexico?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map of the Gulf of Mexico showing surrounding regions of the United States, Mexico, Cuba, and the Yucatan Peninsula. The map highlights underwater features such as shelves, escarpments, canyons, and the Mexico Basin, with varying shades of blue indicating water depths. Major coastal cities like Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, and Havana are labeled, and spot depths are marked in meters.
Gulf of Mexico / Gulf of America

Commercial fishing is a vital economic activity in the Gulf of Mexico, contributing significantly to the total catch in the United States.1

The most important species harvested for human consumption include:

  • Shrimp1
  • Flounder1
  • Red snapper1
  • Mullet1
  • Oysters1
  • Crabs1

Additionally, large quantities of fish are caught to produce protein concentrate used in animal feeds, with menhaden accounting for the bulk of this specific catch. While other marine resources like abalone and lobster are commercially significant in other regions, such as the Pacific coast of Mexico, the species listed above remain the primary focus of the Gulf of Mexico's commercial industry.12