Michael Patrick O'Neill
It’s almost mating season for the largest of the North Atlantic groupers, appropriately named the goliath grouper — they can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds when mature. Despite this intimidating size, goliath grouper have been losing ground to humans for 40 years — overfishing and loss of habitat contributed to a steep decline in goliath populations. Because of its slow maturity rate, mating season is vital to this critically endangered species.
When To Go: New moon, August to October
Where To Go: Jupiter, Florida
jupiterdivercenter.com
