goliath grouper

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is allowing limited fishing of protected goliath grouper and set new limits on catching dolphin fish.

Goliath grouper have been protected since 1990. The state of Florida is considering a plan that would allow up to 200 of the big fish to be taken each year. The public can provide input at two online workshops.

The “limited” harvest is intended to help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission replenish the stock in the next three to five years.

The massive fish have been protected since 1990, after they were nearly wiped out. But now, Florida is proposing allowing the first catch of goliath groupers in more than three decades.