The graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) is a small, colorful grouper species found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Recognized for its reddish-brown body adorned with blue spots, the graysby inhabits coral reefs and rocky bottoms, where it preys on small fish and crustaceans. While not a major commercial species compared to larger groupers, graysby is locally important for artisanal and subsistence fisheries. The top countries involved in graysby fishing include the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations, where it is caught using handlines, traps, and spearfishing. In these regions, the species contributes to local food security and the small-scale fishing economy, though it is not widely exported or targeted by large-scale commercial fleets. Conservation measures and catch limits are increasingly important in these countries to ensure the sustainability of graysby populations amid pressures from overfishing and habitat degradation.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 61 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.