Controversial opening of a limited fishery for Atlantic Goliath Grouper in the United States: Implications for population recovery

Laws protecting the Atlantic Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara from fishing in federal and state waters of the United States (US) occurred in 1990 after the species was identified as being severely overfished. Population increases that occurred during the first 20 years of the closure were followed by a decline in the 10 years thereafter. Despite the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s call to retain full protection for this species in federal waters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) decided to open a limited fishery in state waters for juveniles. Here, we review the literature demonstrating the initial recovery of Goliath Grouper in the U.S., the limits of that recovery, and the ensuing factors that precipitated its subsequent decline; we discuss the risks associated with management decisions that ignore the best available scientific information; and we compare management differences and difficulties among nations within the Atlantic Goliath Grouper’s global range. The major findings are that Goliath Grouper populations have not fully recovered and that FWC has not sought to conserve and protect them. Resolving these problems will require the Governor of the State of Florida to appoint Commissioners that represent a range of stakeholders with expertise in ecology, conservation, and management beyond that provided by the FWC agency; to better train appointees lacking in those areas; and to choose candidates who embrace use of the best available science in making critical decisions that affect Florida ecosystems, native species, and Florida residents.