- REBREATHERS - SPORT DIVERS ... - Stingray Divers

“It’s not a just a fishing problem these fish face,
but also one of habitat,” Dr. Koenig explains. The
first five years are the most critical in a goliath’s
life cycle - juvenile stages are spent in mangrove
habitat using the protective undercuts provided by
the tree’s prop roots for cover.
“Goliath juveniles are adapted to the estuarine
conditions existing in mangrove forests, however,
they are not tolerant to severe cold snaps dipping
water temps below 60 degrees, too much freshwater
discharge or chemical contamination. Even without
these influences at play the habitat essential for
fish’s development is rapidly diminishing. At present,
the largest remaining habitat is the Ten Thousand
Island region of the Everglades National Park. Take
that away, the fish’s future chance of survival in
Florida waters is close to zip,” says Koenig.
What does this mean for the goliath? Only time
will tell. Hopefully 2007 won’t be the start up of the
goliath groupers’ last, and final farewell. v
2
Map Courtesy of Florida State University’s Department (FSU) of Biological Science
It could be said the central and southern regions of the gulf, along with part of
Florida’s east coast from the Palm Beaches north to Daytona Beach have shown the
greatest signs for the goliath’s comeback. However, the underlying regions from Ft.
Lauderdale and Miami down through the Florida Keys to Key West still remain thin.
www.underwaterjournal.com June/July 2007