Grouper, Red – US Red Grouper are found in the western Atlantic
from Massachusetts to southern Brazil but are most commonly
found along the west coast of Florida to the Yucatan Peninsula
of Mexico. They are protogynous sequential hermaphrodites,
meaning they begin life as females and transition to males
between 7 and 16 years of age. Abundance of Red Grouper is
healthy in the Gulf of Mexico and overfished in the U.S. South
Atlantic. They are caught using bottom longlines and handlines,
which have some impact on bottom habitat and catch moderate
levels of bycatch. This fish may have high levels of mercury
that could pose a health risk to adults and children. More
mercury info here.