Range-wide status and conservation of the goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara: introduction.

The goliath grouper is Critically Endangered (CR A2d) throughout its range and in need of immediate management where it is lacking and continued management where it exists. A special symposium was held in November 2007 at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute to share recent research findings and establish a regional research, conservation and management network to improve the species’ status. Eleven contributions were chosen from the symposium to help enrich our understanding of the species’ management needs within a biological, ecological, phylogeographic and fisheries context. One contribution provides important information on the human health effects of goliath grouper consumption.