Yellowfin grouper

Yellowfin grouper is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The yellowfin grouper faces severe pressure from commercial and recreational fishing throughout its Caribbean range, with populations declining due to its slow growth rate and late sexual maturity making recovery difficult. Spawning aggregations are particularly vulnerable to targeted fishing, as these predictable gatherings allow for intensive harvest during critical reproductive periods. Habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and coral reef destruction further compounds population stress by reducing available shelter and feeding areas.

Yellowfin grouper occurs in Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, and Brazil (plus 24 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.

The main threats to Yellowfin grouper are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.