FORT MEYERS, Fla. (AP) — Some fishermen and divers are encouraging Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to allow harvesting of goliath grouper.
The Fort Meyers News-Press (http://newspr.es/XRQeD8 ) reports that the state’s goliath grouper population has rebounded since the fishery was closed 25 years ago because of over fishing.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation is set to consider changes to goliath grouper regulations next year.
The fish can grow up to eight feet and weigh up to 800 pounds.
Fishermen complain that goliath grouper are stealing fish from hooks and spears. Some divers say they enjoy seeing the massive grouper but other divers say they are seeing too many of them and they worry they are depleting other fisheries.
