Update on Great Goliath Grouper Count Numbers in Collier County

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my colleagues and I participated in the second Great Goliath Grouper Count last week. I wanted to provide you with an update on the numbers we generated in Collier County.

• Nine divers in two boats sampled a total of 10 sites ranging in depth from 26 to 80 feet. On a positive note, its two more sites than last year. Unfortunately, we were suppose to sample 12 sites, but strong currents and low visibility prevented us from doing the other two.
• Of the 10 sites sampled, seven of them were in waters 50 feet or less while the remaining three were between 70 and 80 feet.
• Seven of the 10 sites were barges or shipwrecks; one was a radio tower, and two were concrete pilings and rubble.
• We counted a minimum number of 128 goliath grouper on the 10 sites (Avg 12.8).
• Four of the sites had 15 or more goliath on them. All but one of these sites were south of Marco Island.
• 34 of the goliath were estimated to be three feet or less
• 63 were estimated to be between three and five feet
• 31 of the fish were estimated to be over five feet