The Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara; Lichtenstein, 1822) is the largest fish species within the commercial fisheries industry in Belize and across the Caribbean. Adults of this species typically range from 2 to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length and can weigh as much as 363 kilograms (800 pounds). The oldest recorded Atlantic Goliath Grouper is 37 years old, but they are estimated to have a potential lifespan of up to 50 years. These groupers play a crucial role in maintaining fisheries productivity and ecosystem stability. Unfortunately, these massive marine creatures have been either fully exploited or overexploited by fishing communities in the past few decades.
As a result, the Atlantic Goliath Grouper is classified as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In 2019, Belize declared it a "Critically Endangered" fish.