Because of its size and power, the goliath should be handled with the utmost care. And adult grouper populations typically reside in waters deep enough to stay clear of the toxic algal blooms. The adult grouper has sharp spines in its first dorsal fin, which it erects when alarmed. With frequent news of widespread fish kills and red tide plaguing Florida’s coastlines, it might come as a shock to some that these goliath fisheries are actually healthy enough to host a limited season. It is sometimes caught by shark fishermen at night from the Sanibel and causeway fishing piers. 7. This present deadly Red Tide, which is in some areas as thick as six feet deep at the water’s edge, has reportedly killed Goliath grouper, tarpon rays, and even dolphins and other marine mammals. Red tides are toxic algae blooms caused by fertilizer runoff. The goliath grouper is vulnerable to red tide and water pollution, and can sometimes be found washed up on the beach. Goliath grouper dead from Red Tide in Tampa Bay Florida.

In Florida, the fish is recovering from decades of excessive fishing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 6-1 to take steps toward lifting a 31-year ban on catching the goliath grouper, a species that can reach upwards of 600 pounds and. The World Conservation Union recently placed the goliath grouper on its critically endangered list. There is a complete ban on the taking of any goliath grouper, juvenile or adult, in the state of Florida. Reports of manatee and turtle strandings began pouring into local and state agencies in the region, along with reports of large fish washing up dead on southwest Florida beaches.

Sadly, because of overharvesting by spear fishermen e using explosive power heads or bangng sticks, the goliath grouper population in Florida’s waters was brought to the brink of extinction. In 20, significant red tide events occurred in Lee and Collier Counties of Southwest Florida. Red tide had been present along the Gulf coast since shortly after Hurricane Ian swept ashore in the Fort Myers area. A goliath this size would be more than 10 feet long and capable of swallowing a 50-pound fish whole. In the 1800s there were reported catches of goliaths that weighed an unbelievable 1,500 pounds. Regionally, only the great hammerhead shark is larger than the goliath grouper.

Red tide florida goliath grouper