Beginning today and running through October 15th, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be accepting applications for the 2025 annual limited harvest of Goliath Grouper in state waters.
This highly regulated event is designed to ensure sustainable management of the species, which was once severely overfished but has shown signs of recovery in recent years.
The harvest will be limited to all state waters with a few key exceptions. Notably, the harvest will be prohibited in waters off Martin County, south through the Atlantic coast of the Florida Keys, including the entire St. Lucie River and its tributaries. Additionally, fishing for Goliath Grouper will not be allowed in the Dry Tortugas National Park. Importantly, the prohibition on harvesting Goliath Grouper in federal waters will remain in place.
Permits to participate in this limited-entry harvest will be awarded via a random draw lottery system, offering applicants a fair chance to be selected. Those interested in applying can visit the FWC website at MyFWC.com for more information and to submit their applications. This controlled harvest is part of ongoing efforts by FWC to balance recreational fishing opportunities with the need to protect the species, which is known for its massive size and slow growth.
This highly regulated event is designed to ensure sustainable management of the species, which was once severely overfished but has shown signs of recovery in recent years.
The harvest will be limited to all state waters with a few key exceptions. Notably, the harvest will be prohibited in waters off Martin County, south through the Atlantic coast of the Florida Keys, including the entire St. Lucie River and its tributaries. Additionally, fishing for Goliath Grouper will not be allowed in the Dry Tortugas National Park. Importantly, the prohibition on harvesting Goliath Grouper in federal waters will remain in place.
Permits to participate in this limited-entry harvest will be awarded via a random draw lottery system, offering applicants a fair chance to be selected. Those interested in applying can visit the FWC website at MyFWC.com for more information and to submit their applications. This controlled harvest is part of ongoing efforts by FWC to balance recreational fishing opportunities with the need to protect the species, which is known for its massive size and slow growth.
