A landmark 73-year analysis led by Sea Around Us researchers has delivered a stark warning for The Bahamas’ marine ecosystems: 11 out of 12 of the nation’s most culturally and commercially vital seafood species are now categorized as overfished, with most being harvested far faster than natural populations can replenish. Published in the peer-reviewed journal *Frontiers in Marine Science*, the findings validate long-held anecdotal concerns from local Bahamian fishers, who have reported declining catches of iconic species for decades.
To build their dataset, researchers reconstructed total catch records stretching from 1950 through 2022, offering one of the most comprehensive long-term assessments of Caribbean fisheries ever conducted. The 12 species evaluated represent the backbone of The Bahamas’ seafood economy and cultural identity. Among the at-risk populations, Nassau grouper and yellowfin grouper were ranked as “grossly overfished”; queen conch, Caribbean spiny lobster, hogfish, black grouper, rock hind and wahoo fell into the “overfished” category; and lane snapper, mutton snapper and gray snapper were listed as “slightly overfished.” Only one species — dolphinfish, more commonly known as mahi mahi — was found to have a stable, healthy population.
The results carry profound implications for The Bahamas, a nation where seafood is central to both domestic food security and a tourism-driven economy. Across the 73-year study period, researchers estimated that a total of 1.3 million tonnes of seafood were harvested from Bahamian waters, averaging 17,500 tonnes per year. Just two species — Caribbean spiny lobster and queen conch — made up more than half of that total catch: lobster accounted for 33% (around 425,000 tonnes) and conch for 21%. Both are now officially overfished, with lobster populations at just 61% of the biomass required to support long-term maximum sustainable yield, and queen conch at 59%. Maximum sustainable yield is the scientific benchmark for the largest catch that can be maintained indefinitely under stable environmental conditions.
Reef-dwelling groupers and snappers showed the most alarming population declines of all species assessed. Yellowfin grouper, the most imperiled species in the study, was found to have only 40% of the biomass needed for sustainable harvesting. Nassau grouper, which has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2015, was measured at just 49% of the required sustainable biomass. Data shows Nassau grouper catches exceeded maximum sustainable yield for nearly 40 years before populations collapsed from their mid-1990s peak, and the species has yet to show any signs of recovery in the decades since.
Breaking down catch contributions across the fishing sector, the study found that recreational fishing — including tourism-focused charter boats, sportfishing operations, and visiting angling groups — accounted for 46% of total historical catch, the largest share of any segment. Industrial fishing, centered primarily on export-focused spiny lobster operations, made up 26% of total catch, while small-scale artisanal fishing for local markets contributed 23%, and small-scale subsistence fishing accounted for the remaining 5%.
The study’s clear findings intensify pressure on Bahamian fisheries regulators, who have long struggled to manage iconic seafood industries hampered by incomplete population data, inconsistent enforcement of fishing rules, and persistent high public demand for local catch. Dr. Krista Sherman, study co-author and researcher at the Perry Institute for Marine Science, emphasized that the overfished status of key species creates direct risks for domestic food access. “These species are the backbone of The Bahamas’ domestic seafood supply, supporting commercial and subsistence fishers across the islands and anchoring local food security,” Sherman explained. “Their overfished status means fewer fish in local markets and on local plates unless targeted management action is taken. These assessments not only improve our understanding of the status of key fisheries but also provide a critical foundation for the sustainable management of these valuable resources moving forward.”