goliath grouper

noun

variants or Goliath grouper

plural goliath groupers or goliath grouper or Goliath groupers or Goliath grouper

: a very large grouper (Epinephelus itajara) of shallow waters especially of the western Atlantic Ocean from southern Florida to Brazil that may reach weights of up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms)

Note: This fish was formerly known as the jewfish but was officially renamed by the American Fisheries Society and Committee on Names of Fishes in 2001 due to the offensiveness of the historical name.

Examples of goliath grouper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The charter boat Two Conchs out of Marathon reported his clients have been bending their fishing rods with catch and release African pompano, big goliath groupers and a few nice cobias. —Alan Sherman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Then a fish reveals itself, a goliath grouper. —Helen Scales, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2019

Now, however, while the population is still in recovery, REEF volunteers are almost guaranteed a goliath grouper sighting in certain locations. —Allie Wilkinson, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2014

Dive Into the Blue: REEF surveys show the goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is making a comeback thanks to international and federal protections. —Allie Wilkinson, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2014

The proposal follows a vote in May by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to rescind a ban imposed in 1990 to stop a sharp decline in goliath grouper numbers. —David Fleshler, sun-sentinel.com, 10 Sep. 2021

The Florida wildlife commission lifted a 32-year ban on killing goliath grouper Thursday, in a decision that received strong support from the fishing community and intense opposition from environmentalists. —David Fleshler, sun-sentinel.com, 3 Mar. 2022

The Atlantic goliath grouper can reach 800 pounds and be over 8 feet long, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. —Ed Killer, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2021

The Florida record is a 680-pound goliath grouper caught off Fernandina Beach in 1961. —Ed Killer, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above