The new rule to allow the killing of 200 juvenile goliaths a year passed 3-1 and in the absence of three commissioners, including FWC chairman Rodney Barreto.
Goliath grouper fishing may be allowed in Florida again after 30-year ban nationalgeographic.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nationalgeographic.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The goliath almost died off in the 1980s from overfishing and pollution and is not allowed to be caught in any other state or federal waters.
The fish is a favorite of underwater photographers for its docile demeanor and mammoth size adults typically weigh 400 pounds (180 kilograms) but can exceed 800 (360 kilograms). While the species population is unknown, state officials believe it has grown enough to allow the limited catch.
“Goliath is a recovering stock, becoming more abundant in parts of Florida, especially on artificial reefs,” the commission staff wrote in its recommendation.
That s a contention disputed by those who oppose lifting the fishing ban. They point to major die-offs over the past decade from cold weather and other causes.
Florida weighs allowing limited harvest of goliath grouper kob.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kob.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Florida weighs limited harvest of once-endangered goliath grouper
The goliath almost died off in the 1980s from overfishing and pollution and is not allowed to be caught in any state or federal waters.
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Florida may lift its three-decade ban on catching and killing goliath groupers, like this one swimming at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota. [ CONOR GOULDING | AP ]
Updated 48 minutes ago
FORT LAUDERDALE â Florida may lift its three-decade ban on catching and killing goliath grouper. Wildlife officials say the coastal fishâs numbers have recovered sufficiently from near-extinction to allow a limited harvest, but the proposal is strongly opposed by environmentalists who say it is still at risk.