Top Bluespotted Seabass Fishing Countries

The bluespotted seabass (Cephalopholis cyanostigma), also known as the bluespotted rock cod, is a brightly colored reef-dwelling grouper found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Characterized by its brownish body covered in vivid blue spots, this species inhabits coral reefs and rocky substrates. The bluespotted seabass is valued both as a food fish and in the live reef fish trade, particularly in Asian markets. The top countries harvesting this species include Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia, where artisanal and commercial fisheries target groupers for local consumption and export. Indonesia and the Philippines, with their extensive coral reef systems, are especially significant contributors, supplying both domestic markets and the high-demand live fish trade in Hong Kong and mainland China. Sustainable management of bluespotted seabass is increasingly important in these regions due to concerns over overfishing and habitat degradation.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.