Spinycheek grouper (Epinephelus diacanthus) is widely distributed in northern Indian Ocean from Sri Lanka and Chennai in South-west coast of India to Gulf of Aden in the north. The stock structure is not known and the map below regards the distribution in Indian waters.

Groupers are found in coastal rocky reefs and coral ridges with their distribution ranging upto 360 m in Indian EEZ (James et al., 1996). Juveniles of some groupers are found in coastal waters, mangroves, estuaries and sandy bottoms. There are more than 64 species of groupers belonging to the family Serranidae in Indian waters. Among these species most of the commercial fisheries exploit around 34 of the Epinephelus spp in various gears ranging from bottom set gillnets, cast nets and hooks and line in small-scale fisheries to trawl nets and longline fishing in the industrial fisheries.

Hook and line is the second most important gear in artisnal fisheries sector in India (Kurup et al., 1987; Bhatta et al., 2003; Rohit et al., 2006; Menon et al., 1993). Fishing vessels from Karnataka landed 4047 and 4329 tonnes of rock cods during 2005-06, and 2006-07 years (KDF 2008). A very small percentage of rock cod catches is landed by hook and line vessels in both Karnataka and Goa (Marine Fisheries Census 2005).

A detailed account of Epinephelus diacanthus (Spinycheek grouper) catches by various fleets is not available in both Karnataka and Goa. State Fisheries Departments in both states report catches for groupers, which includes various species of rock cods. There are also problems with under-reporting of artisanal catches in both states (Pramod 2010).