Abstract

In French Guiana (South America), despite a worldwide critically endangered species status, goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is still a commercial species. Fishermen claim that fishing length decreased in the last 20 years. There is a lack of knowledge on the species and its health state is unknown. A DIDSON acoustic camera will be used to evaluate the number of individuals living around rocky sites and information on the history of fisheries (number of capturesand length) will be collected to assess the French Guiana population trends. A genetic comparison of goliath grouper populations along the western Atlantic Ocean will reveal the relationship between these different populations and determine if the French Guiana population has to be considered as an isolated population. Until now, no study on E. itajara reproduction has been undertaken in French Guiana. As goliath grouper are making sounds during the reproduction period, an acoustic survey around rocky sites will be organized during one year to locate eventual spawning sites and to determine the spawning season. In case of French Guiana grouper migrate for reproduction, two individuals assumed to be mature (> 160 cm) will be equipped with pop-up tags that will record different seawater parameters (temperature, light level), which will allow to know the location of the fish. Results of that study will be very important tools to set up management policies for the conservation of E. itajara in French Guiana