Opening a season on Goliath Groupers: The big debate for a big fish

Background
Throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Goliath Grouper were heavily overfished, and this
led to a drastic decrease in their populations (Holland). There were no regulations regarding
these fish, so they were being killed by fisherman by the boat loads either for fillets, or just as
trophies (Holland). Finally, in 1990, they were declared endangered and gained protection
throughout the state, and country (Holland). It was estimated that at one time, there was less than
one thousand inhabiting the waters of Florida and the Caribbean (Holland). This made it illegal
for fisherman, divers, or anyone else to kill these fish. Since these regulations have been put into
place, their numbers have rebounded, but to exactly what extent is still in question (Holland). In
2015 the population will be reassessed, but this is sparking controversy as there is a chance that
the regulations continue.

Characteristics

Long-lived and slow to mature, the species simply couldnt keep up with the slaughter
(Holland)
Can reach up to 800 pounds and be over 8 feet long (Results Are)
Slow moving (Results Are)
Homebodies, so they tend to stay around the same reefs (Holland)

What is the controversy?

Now that their numbers have rebounded and drastically increased since being declared
endangered, they are now overtaking reefs
Non fisherman believe that they are critical to reefs and do not pose a threat to the reefs
health or the fish population in these reefs
Fisherman argue that they are overtaking these reefs, as they eat anything and everything
and are wiping out snapper and lobster populations that commercial fisherman rely on
o Many commercial reef fishermen believe that goliath grouper negatively impact
ecosystems by decimating other fish populations (Results Are)

Political impacts

Youre better off getting caught with bales of marijuana than with one of these fish. Key West City Commissioner Tony Yaniz (Holland)

Economic impacts

These fish are not threatening to humans and attract divers and fisherman to reefs along
the coasts of Florida every year bringing in tourism revenue

The problem lies in finding the correct balance of keeping their populations stable:
1. A population healthy enough to continue attracting fisherman and divers to local waters
without populations plummeting (Holland)
Results of survey that asked 6000 stakeholders in the Goliath Grouper debate (Results Are)

More than 70 percent of commercial fishermen would like to see the harvesting moratorium
lifted (Results Are)
19 percent of anglers feel that the fish have a negative impact on the ecosystem (Results
Are)

Over 50 percent of recreational anglers would like to see the fishery re-opened (Results
Are)

Survey also found that most fishing charter captains view the current situation neutrally
(Results Are)

o Expect a positive impact to their business if anglers were allowed to catch these fish
(Results Are)

Majority of both commercial and recreational fishermen support a controlled re-opening

of the fishery (Results Are)

A controlled re-opening of the fishery could include one goliath per vessel every year

This would limit the amount of harvesting allowed while also letting those who want to
catch and harvest the fish, be able to, while maintaining healthy populations among these
reef dwellers

Commercial fisherman

Would like to see a re-opening of the fishery because they are concerned about the
impact of goliath on other species and on their fishing operations (Results Are)
o They tend to overtake reefs and eat the fish that commercial fisherman rely on to catch

Recreational fisherman

Would like to see a re-opening of the fishery because they are interested in harvesting
them (Results Are)

Recreational divers

Goliath groupers are the most popular among this group (Results Are)
o 87 percent considered goliath encounters desirable and 54 percent have
undertaken dives specifically to view goliath (Results Are)
o Dive charter operators benefit from goliath-viewing and expect negative impacts
to their business should goliath become subject to harvest (Results Are)
o Non-fishing divers and dive charter operators strongly favor keeping goliath offlimits to fishing (Results Are)

Below is a picture of what was common in the mid 1990s which led to a drastic decrease in
populations

www.spearboard.com

The Debate
Many argue that these fish have become a nuisance to fisherman and have overtaken reefs and
wrecks throughout waters along Florida. They compete fisherman and divers for fish and often
with their aggressive appetites, kill many lobsters and fish that inhabit the same areas. Their
population rebound has sparked controversy as scientists are beginning to study just how many
are now out there. I believe that there should be some kind of population control for these fish.
Although I do not support no limits on harvesting, I believe there should be a one or two fish
limit per angler/ vessel a year. If they become overpopulated, the reefs ecosystems could become
destroyed which would throw off the entire oceans ecosystem. If the goliath grouper continues to
wipe out lobster populations in reefs, other fish who depend on them will not be able to find

food, they will die, and the domino effect begins. It is critical to the oceans ecosystem that
lawmakers are able to create laws that both protect their population, while controlling it to ensure
they do not begin taking over and eating reefs to the death.
This debate involves a great deal of controversy between both the science field, as well as the
political science field. As scientists are beginning to survey to estimate the number of Goliath
grouper fish currently swimming in the reefs surrounding Florida (Skrzypek). The conclusions
drawn from this survey are critical because this help lawmakers determine whether or not there is
a healthy enough size population to lift harvesting regulations or not. The public has a huge
influence in this issue and based on what the science end concludes, the public will react and
push for their beliefs towards the topic. As I stated before, I believe that there should be some
sort of harvesting allowed for these fish, but strictly regulated. Only one goliath per year per
angler, or even vessel. This helps ensure reef and wreck fish populations maintain healthy
numbers, while also keeping enough goliaths in the water that tourists, scuba tours and others
who just admire their size and presence can enjoy them as well without worrying about not
seeing any before they hop into the water. In the end, there will be a group of people who will
not agree with whatever decision is made, but the best thing that can try to be done is give both
sides of the argument a piece of what they are fighting for in hopes both sides will be happy, but
also ensuring the most important thing, that the Goliath Grouper populations are at a healthy
level that they do not wipe out reefs but also maintaining their populations so people can enjoy
and see them below the surface. Keeping both the fisherman and divers happy will not be easy,
but it is critical to give both sides a little of what they want while keeping the species well-being
in mind.

abcnews.com

www.hooked-in.com

Works Cited
Holland, Jennifer. "Goliath Groupers." Big Fish. N.p., July 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014.
<http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/07/goliath-grouper/holland-text>.

"Results Are In for Opinion Poll on Goliath Grouper - Florida Sportsman." Florida Sportsman.
N.p., 31 July 2013. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.floridasportsman.com/2013/07/31/results-are-in-for-opinion-poll-ongoliath-grouper/>.

Skrzypek, Jeff. "Goliath Grouper: Debate Surrounding Harvesting Protected Fish Heats up
between Divers and Fishermen." WPTV. N.p., 24 July 2014. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/goliath-grouperdebate-surrounding-harvesting-protected-fish-heats-up-between-divers-and-fishermen>.