Geographical distribution
Documented presence includes: eastern Atlantic Ocean ; Mediterranean Sea ; northwestern Atlantic Ocean ; Atlantic waters off Uruguay and Argentina ; Saint Paul and Amsterdam islands, Indian Ocean ; New Zealand, southwestern Pacific.
- Documented presence : eastern Atlantic Ocean
- Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
- Documented presence : northwestern Atlantic Ocean
- Documented presence : Atlantic waters off Uruguay and Argentina
- Documented presence : Saint Paul and Amsterdam islands, Indian Ocean
- Documented presence : New Zealand, southwestern Pacific
Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.
Distribution sources
- FishBase — Polyprion americanus, Distribution · accessed on
Identification
A massive head, projecting lower jaw, strong longitudinal bony ridge on the upper gill cover and rough scales. The nickname “grouper” is insufficient for identification.
Habitat
Adults over deep rocky and sandy bottoms; juveniles sometimes near the surface beneath floating objects.
Diet
Crustaceans, molluscs and fish.
Behaviour
Adults are solitary; juveniles are gregarious and spend more time in open water.
Indicative biological size
FAO gives a common size up to 80 cm; this is neither the species maximum nor a legal size.
Fishing context and precautions
CNR-IRBIM includes wreckfish in a group fished from boats near the bottom with fish or cephalopods, using bolentino bottom tackle or vertical methods. Collective Italian advice, without a species-specific rig or French permission: first check the area, restrictions and the ability to release deep-caught fish.
In France, the 2023 orders prohibit underwater fishing for wreckfish off PACA and Occitanie and in French waters around Corsica. Wreckfish is absent from their separate list covering hooks and lines; this is not general permission. Prevent deep-water catches whose outcome cannot be managed: US devices and tank observations do not establish survival after release in France.
A distinctive feature
Juveniles can gather beneath floating wreckage, far from the deep habitat of adults.
A study in the south-eastern Indian Ocean describes slow growth, great longevity and late maturation. These traits indicate inherent vulnerability to exploitation; they are not a current assessment of every French population.
Sources and review
Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.
- FAO — Polyprion americanus · accessed on
- Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur — Bonnes pratiques en mer · accessed on
- Service Public — Pêche de loisir en mer · accessed on
- CNR-IRBIM — La pesca ricreativa in mare, Petetta et Bolognini, 2026, p.62–65 · accessed on
- Préfecture de Corse — Reconduction des moratoires sur la pêche du corb et du mérou, 22 décembre 2023 · accessed on
- Parc national des Calanques — Guide de la pêche de loisir, version juillet 2024 · accessed on
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council — Grouper, Wreckfish, réglementation et engins récréatifs · accessed on
- INIDEP (2024), rapport 009-24 — Campagne MA-2023/18, p. 5–6 · accessed on
- SAFMC — Best Fishing Practices, exigences collectives snapper-grouper · accessed on
- Préfet de région PACA — Arrêté R93-2023-12-08-00001, articles 1–2, PDF p.2–3 · accessed on
- Préfet de Corse — Arrêté R20-2023-12-20-00002, articles 1–2, PDF p.3 · accessed on
- Wakefield, Newman et Boddington (2013) — Exceptional longevity, slow growth and late maturation infer high inherent vulnerability to exploitation for bass groper Polyprion americanus · accessed on
- NOAA / SAFMC — Snapper Grouper Amendment 48, décembre 2024, section 3.2.2 et contexte de pêche profonde · accessed on
- NOAA Fisheries — Catch and Release Fishing Best Practices, précautions générales · accessed on