Nassau grouper

Photo: Quimbre Gwendal · CC BY-NC

Nassau grouper are critically endangered across their Caribbean range due to their vulnerability at predictable annual spawning aggregations, where tens of thousands of fish once gathered and were devastated by targeted fishing. They are protogynous hermaphrodites — most individuals begin life as females and transition to male as they grow. At Le Cap, the ledge system supports one of Martinique's more robust resident grouper populations, with large individuals exceeding 60 centimetres regularly encountered on the deeper ridges. Their recovery depends on protection of both resident habitat and spawning aggregation sites.