Gulf of America Reef Shareholders’ Alliance
In the Gulf of Mexico, snapper and grouper are king. We’re working with the Gulf of America Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance to ensure that snapper and grouper fisheries remain sustainable and accessible for current and future generations of commercial fishermen.
“There’s not many young guys getting into red snapper fishing. It’s hard to find quota and it’s always expensive. That’s why I’m excited to be working with the co-op. We are working for the new and upcoming fisherman — it has the potential to set up the next generation for success.”
Chance Adams, Gulf of Mexico Fisherman
How they are making an impact
Sustainable Fishing
The Shareholders’ Alliance unites Gulf of Mexico commercial fishermen to advocate for policies that sustain fishing communities and healthy fish stocks at state, regional, and federal levels.
Seafood Traceability
Founded in 2010, Gulf Wild is a leading seafood traceability program for Gulf snapper and grouper. In 2016, its Executive Director and Shareholders’ Alliance Board Member, Jason Delacruz, received a Presidential Medal of Honor for the program’s impact.
Next Generation Fishermen Opportunity and Training
To address the ‘graying of the fleet,’ the Shareholders’ Alliance runs two programs supporting new commercial fishing entrants:
Quota Bank
Provides open access to annual, stock-specific fishing permits, increasing fishery accessibility for those lacking capital or connections. This program was a 2017 Gulf Guardian Awards runner-up for fisheries sustainability.
Young Fishermen’s Training Programs
Includes the Gulf Commercial Fishermen’s Program, focused on training new entrants in snapper and grouper fishing, and the National Future Fishermen’s Coalition, which fosters collaboration among commercial fishing training programs.