“Go get ’em.” Well, a few of them. That’s what Florida wildlife officials may soon say about Atlantic goliath groupers. Is it time to loosen the state’s 30-year ban on catching and killing the giant fish? The species almost died off in the 1980s. But many believe the fish family’s population is finally growing again.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission thinks some sport fishers would love to land a goliath. So the commission could choose to allow a fisher with a license to catch one goliath. Just one.
The gentle giants are easy to find and hook. Young ones hide among trees growing in shallow coastal waters. Adults linger near reefs and shipwrecks off the Florida coast. These fish may be gentle, but they are also HUGE! Adults weigh between 400 and 800 pounds. They can grow to be a little more than eight feet long.
Florida officials aren’t sure how many goliaths swim the surrounding seas now. But they think there are enough to allow limited catch. They say the species is “recovering” from the hard years when it was over-fished.
Not everyone thinks lifting the goliath fishing ban is wise. Some biologists worry that the goliath population is still too small. Others point out that goliath meat contains high levels of dangerous mercury. The beasts live for decades—absorbing mercury over time. The larger the fish is, the less safe it is for humans to eat. But no one wants to see the big beauties go to waste if caught.
Instead of taking goliaths from the sea, some people think Florida should use the fish in a different way. They suggest that the photogenic fish could lure more scuba divers to Florida. That could boost tourism business for the state. Goliaths are very popular with divers and underwater photographers.
At the beginning of creation, God gave man authority over all other living things. That includes fish! Genesis 1:28 says, “And God said to them, ‘Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the Earth.’”
It is our responsibility to pay careful attention to fish species that need care. People put laws in place to protect the goliath species. Those laws seem to have worked. Now, maybe it’s time to let people enjoy catching some of those fish for fun and, if safe, for food.
