It is recognized as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The one in this video is an Atlantic Goliath Grouper. The goliath grouper is now protected by conservation efforts around the world. Giant Goliath Grouper Attacks Diver While Spearfishing [Video] Blog By Red Tuna Staff. However, in terms of actual number of attacks on divers, the goliath grouper gives sharks a run for their money. This monster is usually found in relatively shallow water down to 150 feet and around rock outcroppings and coral reef crevices on the continental shelf. I remember talking to a charter-boat captain who mentioned that he never went swimming in the gulf. Although the attack may be defensive, this massive fish has numerous sharp teeth that can cause significant harm to an unwitting diver or any other organism entering its home range.
Diving the goliath grouper aggregation in Florida is not easy.
In fact, this fish has been known to steal food from aggressive sharks feeding on prey on the ocean bottom. Palm Beach County has perennially been a mecca to observe goliath grouper. That’s going to leave a mark. In these cases, it is likely the diver's fault for unknowingly entering the territory of the goliath grouper. Experienced divers may consider themselves fearless towards anything in the water, but when faced with a monster goliath grouper, their diving skill and nerve may be tested. Remove the scales of the fish on both sides by sliding the knife from the head, below the gills all the way down to the tail. When one thinks of being attacked by a fish in the ocean, sharks are usually the animals that come to mind. Goliath groupers are a massively powerful fish and they have been known to attack anglers, divers, and … Sport fishing for these fish is not illegal, but catch and release must be practiced.
Except for its size, the goliath grouper is similar to the regular grouper that is served in many restaurants around the world. Because groupers form large spawning aggregations in the same locations year after year they are vulnerable to mass harvesting.
As they age their growth rate slows down, but like most fish growth, never completely stops until the fish dies. Those attempting to spot them in typical dive locations off the Palm Beach coast will be disappointed. The University of Florida reports that Goliath Grouper have been known to attack and even stalk divers. A Goliath grouper aggressively chased several divers from around one oil rig until the brother finally had to go down and show the fish that humans are 'the boss' by banging on it with a huge 20-pound box wrench. Thanks for sharing my friend.Very Strong performance indeed! Part of HuffPost Environment. Goliath Grouper Attacks Diver Caught On Film!