The FWC is once again considering a limited "harvest" on the critically endangered goliath grouper.
Goliath groupers were once on the verge of extinction primarily due to overfishing. In the 1990s, state and federal protections were established, making it illegal to kill goliath grouper.
Goliath grouper play a significant role in keeping underwater ecosystems healthy and balanced. Their presence affects other organisms within the system. Their absence allows prey populations to explode and results in an overall diversity decline. Goliath grouper are slow-growing and take between 5-7 years to reach sexual maturity. Their sedentary nature, small home ranges, and predictable spawning aggregations make them highly vulnerable to fishing practices.
Goliath groupers face many challenges and threats to their overall wellbeing, such as red tide, habitat loss, poaching, bioaccumulation of toxic substances, including mercury known to cause direct health effects in goliath grouper. Their high mercury levels of 3.5 ppm make this fish illegal to sell and inedible due to health concerns.
Email the FWC Commissioners and state that you oppose the proposal to allow a limited "harvest" of the critically endangered goliath grouper.
https://myfwc.com/contact/fwc-office/senior-staff/commissioners/
Sign & share our petition.
https://www.change.org/p/fwc-deny-proposal-for-limited-harvest-of-the-critically-endangered-goliath-grouper
FWC meeting details.
https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/may-2021/
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