Huge groupers, the joy of Florida divers, are now 'vulnerable'

The goliath grouper, a colossus of a fish that can weigh up to 800 pounds , is the delight of Florida divers.

Overfishing had left the species near extinction in the 1980s , but conservation efforts saved it.

In the past year , Florida authorities allowed 200 of the fish to be caught and killed each year in state waters.

The species is now classed as a "vulnerable" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature .