FWC proposes rule for goliath grouper spawning aggregations

At its July meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed a rule to increase protections for adult goliath while spawning. The proposed rule, if approved at the final hearing, would prohibit fishing within 1,000 feet of three goliath grouper aggregation sites from July 15 – Oct. 15 each year. These sites were identified by stakeholders as having the highest density of goliath grouper within state waters during the spawning season. The three sites are:

• MG 111 and Warrior Reef
• Ana Cecilia and Mizpah Wrecks
• Castor and Bud Bar Wrecks

A final rule hearing for goliath grouper spawning aggregation protections will be presented at a future Commission meeting.

For more information, including the July 2022 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings.”

For current recreational goliath grouper regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Goliath.