The One Blotch Grouper (*Epinephelus malabaricus*), also known as the Malabar Grouper or Estuary Cod, is a large, predatory reef fish found throughout the Indo-West Pacific region, particularly in coastal and estuarine environments. Characterized by its robust body and a distinctive dark blotch on the body, this species is highly valued for its firm, white flesh and is a prized catch in both commercial and recreational fisheries. The leading countries harvesting the One Blotch Grouper include Indonesia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia, where the species is caught using handlines, traps, and trawls, and is also farmed in aquaculture operations. Indonesia and India, in particular, are major exporters, supplying live and chilled groupers to markets in East Asia, where demand is driven by the species' status as a luxury seafood item. Overfishing and habitat loss, however, have raised concerns about the sustainability of wild populations, prompting several countries to implement management measures and promote aquaculture as an alternative.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.