A 20-36-inch goliath grouper probably weighs 12-25 pounds, meaning an angler would be in for about
$40 per pound
to harvest one. At that price, it makes a lot more sense to catch one's grouper fillets at a seafood market.
How much does goliath grouper cost per pound?
Because the supply of domestic grouper is limited and the demand great, it is typically a more expensive fish to purchase than others. Wholesale fillet values are generally between
$11 to $13 per pound
, which means retail value, what consumers pay, is typically even higher.
Is it legal to eat goliath grouper?
What to do when you've caught a goliath grouper?
Harvest and possession has been prohibited in both state and federal waters off Florida since 1990
. Must be immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed. Photographs can be taken but only during the active act of release.
Why is catching goliath grouper illegal?
The state ban was put in place in 1990. Goliath grouper, which can grow to 800 pounds and more than 8 feet in length, had been harvested in state waters since the late 1800s. Aside from overfishing,
the species is susceptible to dying because of such factors as cold temperatures and red tide blooms
.
What's the biggest goliath grouper ever caught?
The heaviest grouper ever caught and certified as an IGFA world record was this
680-pound
goliath grouper caught on May 20, 1961, off Fernandina Beach, Florida, using a Spanish mackerel as fishing bait. This particular species of grouper is considered endangered today and protected in the United States and Caribbean.
How much does a 6 foot goliath grouper weigh?
Let's look at the average weight of the Goliath Grouper, as an example. This fish will generally reach a weight of around
400 pounds
. However, there have been some much larger fish caught. One in Florida that was caught with a hook and line weighed 680 pounds.
How much does a 36 inch goliath grouper weigh?
A 20-36-inch goliath grouper probably weighs
12-25 pounds
, meaning an angler would be in for about $40 per pound to harvest one.
Why should I not eat grouper?
High mercury levels
in these giant fish have caused EDF to issue a consumption advisory. Groupers can live to be 40 but only reproduce over a short amount of time, making them vulnerable to overfishing.
How big is a goliath grouper?
The goliath grouper is the largest grouper in the western Atlantic. Growing to lengths of
8.2 feet (2.5 m)
, this grouper can weigh as much as 800 pounds (363 kg). In Florida, the largest hook and line captured specimen weighed 680 pounds (309 kg). The oldest verifiable goliath grouper on record is 37 years.
What do goliath grouper taste like?
What Does Goliath Grouper Taste Like? As with other varieties of grouper, the Goliath grouper has a
mild taste with a slightly sweet underlying flavor
. It has been described as not having a very fishy taste and it falls somewhere between the flavor of a seabass and a halibut.
What does grouper taste like?
1. Grouper. There are more than 400 different species of grouper in the sea, but the most popular Florida favorites are Black Grouper, Red Grouper and Gag. This type of fish has a
very mild flavor (somewhere in between seabass and halibut) with a light, sweet taste
and large, chunky flakes, almost like lobster or crab.
How long do goliath grouper live?
Goliath groupers, which live
up to 40 years
, can measure as much as eight feet in length. Catching one is the ocean equivalent of hunting big game.
How much is a goliath grouper tag in Florida?
A required recreational goliath harvest permit and tag, issued via a random-draw lottery, to legally harvest a goliath ($
150 for residents, $500 for non-residents
).
Can I keep a goliath grouper?
Since 1990, keeping goliath grouper — an aptly named fish that can grow to 800 pounds —
has been illegal in Florida
. But there has been years of debate from recreational and commercial anglers that the species has rebounded to the point where the voracious eaters are becoming a nuisance.
How many grouper can you keep in Florida?
Gulf Grouper Aggregate Bag Limit – all species of grouper in the Gulf are included in a
4 fish per harvester per day
aggregate bag limit in any combination of grouper species. Seasons – If no seasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round.
What is the biggest fish in Florida?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries biologists certified a new state record
butterfly peacock bass
weighing 9.11 pounds and measuring 23 5/16 inches long, caught by angler Felipe Prieto from Hialeah.
What was the biggest fish ever?
Whale shark
How large can a jewfish get?
Formerly known as a “jewfish,” goliath groupers can grow
up to 8 feet long
and weigh about 800 pounds. They are typically identified by their large mouths and dark striped bodies.
What's the biggest jewfish ever caught?
The hoisting apparatus was set in motion and the big fish landed on the deck. He was weighed, and tipped the scale* at exactly
600 pounds
. Without question this is the largest Jewfish ever caught on the Pacific coast.
Can you eat goliath grouper in Florida?
You can't eat them
. The mercury can cause erectile dysfunction, so those who harvest them will just take a photo and let the carcass rot,” Sarah Frias-Torres, a marine researcher who has worked extensively on goliath groupers off the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches.
How hard is it to catch a goliath grouper?
Goliath Grouper, as the name suggests, are a very large species of Grouper. They are so large that they require specialized techniques and therefore get their own section on this site. Goliaths can achieve weights of over 800lbs although specimens that large are
almost impossible to catch
.
What is the biggest grouper in the world?
Native to South Florida and beyond, these fish are some of the most sought-after in the sea. As of 2021, the largest Goliath Grouper recorded caught in the wild is
680 pounds
on the Southern coast of Florida. Anglers reeled the Grouper in May of 1961.
How big is a groper?
Description. Giant Queensland gropers are one of the largest of all bony fishes, reaching
lengths of up to 3 m and weighing about 600 kg
.
How fast does grouper grow?
They are relatively slow growing and take
five to seven years
to reach sexual maturity. Adult goliath groupers are generally sedentary and have small home ranges, making them more vulnerable to spearfishing.
What's the healthiest fish to eat?- Salmon, Wild-Caught (including canned) …
- Sardines, Wild-Caught (including canned) …
- Rainbow Trout (and some types of Lake) …
- Herring. …
- Bluefin Tuna. …
- Orange Roughy. …
- Salmon, Farmed in Pens (Atlantic) …
- Mahi-Mahi (Costa Rica, Guatemala & Peru)
What is the most unhealthy fish to eat?
- Bluefin Tuna.
- Chilean Sea Bass.
- Shark.
- King Mackerel.
- Tilefish.
Is grouper good eating?
Grouper is a good fish to eat
because it is low in mercury, high in protein, and has a mild flavor. Grouper can be grilled, baked, or poached. It is also a versatile fish that can be used in a variety of dishes. At least two servings of fish should be eaten each week.
