Top Groupers Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Groupers, classified under the family Epinephelidae, are prized marine fish known for their stout bodies, large mouths, and delicious, firm flesh. The category "Groupers Not Elsewhere Included" refers to various grouper species that are not individually listed in global fisheries statistics but are significant in commercial and artisanal catches. These species inhabit tropical and subtropical waters, often around coral reefs and rocky substrates. The leading countries harvesting these groupers include Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and India, where groupers are a valuable commodity both for local consumption and export, particularly to East Asian markets where live groupers fetch premium prices. The fishing industry for these species is characterized by a mix of small-scale handlining, trap fishing, and, increasingly, aquaculture, though overfishing and habitat degradation have raised concerns about the sustainability of wild stocks in several regions.

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