'50-Year-Old 158kg' Fish... Large Warsaw Grouper Caught

Giant 350-Pound Fish Found in Florida, USA
Research Institute Estimates Fish Age at 50 Years

On December 29 last year (local time), a Warsaw grouper caught in southwest Florida / Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] A large fish weighing 350 pounds (about 158 kg) was caught in the United States.

According to foreign media such as the British Daily Mail, a giant fish was caught in southwest Florida on December 29 last year (local time), reported on the 12th.

According to the report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute recently announced on its official Facebook page, "A fisherman caught a giant Warsaw grouper off the southwest coast of Florida."

The Warsaw grouper is known as a giant species reaching about 2 meters in length.

The institute referred to this fish as a "big and old fish," stating, "The fish is estimated to be 50 years old and appears to have been caught on a fishing line at a depth of 600 feet (about 182 m). Adult fish usually appear between 180 feet (54 m) and 1700 feet (about 518 m) underwater."

They added, "Currently, the institute is collecting fish samples to conduct aging research. This Warsaw grouper has become the oldest specimen."

The institute explained, "The Warsaw grouper is distinguished from other groupers by its dorsal spines," adding, "It has 10 dorsal spines, including a thin and long second dorsal spine, which is characteristic of the Warsaw grouper. Other groupers have 11 dorsal spines."

They also said, "Obtaining the otolith of this fish was very important," adding, "Specimens of large and old fish are very rare." Otoliths refer to calcareous concretions in the inner ear of vertebrates.

Finally, the institute warned fishermen, saying, "Although it is a very rare specimen, the Warsaw grouper should not be targeted."

Meanwhile, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Warsaw grouper was classified as an endangered species in 1997. Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) designates this species as critically endangered.