Spawning Patterns, Trophic Ecology, and Toxicology

The Atlantic Goliath Grouper, a large, long-lived reef fish in the southeastern United States, was fished to near extinction decades ago. It is now showing signs of recovery in Florida waters due to protection from fishing in state and federal waters that started in 1990. While providing some optimism for their future, recent discovery of high mercury levels in this species is cause for concern. Indeed, I contend that such levels could not only impede their full recovery but present a human health problem if the fishery were re-opened. For my dissertation, I investigated their spawning patterns and trophic ecology, the latter of which included investigations of the organisms in their diet that lead to mercury accumulation in their tissues. Mercury presents a problem because of its neurotoxic effects and its ability to bioaccumulate in some forms. My research demonstrates that mercury levels in Goliath Grouper are not only much higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s suggested safe levels for human consumption, but that they are likely impacting the overall health and reproductive potential of this iconic species.