BHB collection/protection discussion

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I want to "see" one of these frogfish. Where was it exactly?
:D
The best way for a "collector" to see a frogfish at the BHB marine park, is to look at the photos on the big BHB thread.... there are a bunch of recent ones, and I posted a link to a video I shot of one on a night dive.

I understand the Frogfish is a VERY DESIRABLE tropical salt water aquarioum fish, one that would most likely sell for big bucks...they pretty much need their own tank, due to their eating habits, but this would still create a rapid depletion scenario if collectors were to take an interest...If I am wrong about this, please explain why and how DD...
It just seems that as things stand, 99% of us are at the mercy of a handful of collectors, to not decide to remove 100% of some of the most desirable and rare fish we have here.
By your own reasoning, they would have the legal right to do this, and so the question would be, "WHY WOULDN'T THEY TAKE EVERY LAST ONE"?... There are not that many frogfish, or batfish, and if collectors came in numbers, even the population of octopus "could" be removed in a few short weeks.

There is no limit to how many collectors can remove fish at the BHB now. There is no limit to how many of a rare species can be removed from BHB in a given day or week, and no way to even track such a key piece of information, if collecting is to be allowed.

There are no Fish & Game officers watching divers as they come out of the water, to make sure that no "illegal" fish removals have occured, and how could you ever really budget for this? the Cost to watch a handful of people that "could" decimate a rare fish population would be enormous, and the alternative, to just outlaw the practice, would seem to cost the public much less.


ALSO.
I have been doing scooter runs over large ranges of the intracoastal outside of the BHB area. One thing I can say for certain, is that the concentration and diversity of life found at the BHB, is NOT duplicated anywhere else in the intracoastal. the mangrove areas support a small amount of life right around them, but in terms of relative concentration ( comparing it to BHB) the mangroves all along the north side of Singer Island to Munyon Island are a desert when compared to the BHB area.
The point being, BHB IS a unique spot, it is a nursery ground for marine life unlike anything else we have found in any part of the intracoaastal. Even the jetty by the Pumphouse, or the south jetty side at the point, do not harbor anything close to the diversity of species found at the BHB, or the nursery potential.

That being said, the pumphouse area and south jetty are areas collectors would not get negative comments from BHB divers about, the jetty areas really do repopulate almost daily, if they need to ( species competitions for space in this area) and more than likely, the major desires of collectors can be met at the jetty dive sites, minus the ultra rare species of the BHB that SHOULD NOT be taken anyway.

So what is the big problem with the collectors going to the jetties, or to shallow Breakers reefs by mooring balls or the underwater pier ( both swim from shore dives).
 
It is interesting that there are still frogfish there after all these years of allowing collection at the site.

As for those coordinates, I'm not sure I could get to that spot even with Dan's special fins and bad ass scooter.
 
It is interesting that there are still frogfish there after all these years of allowing collection at the site.

As for those coordinates, I'm not sure I could get to that spot even with Dan's special fins and bad ass scooter.
And I have to say this is one of the most persuasive arguements I have ever heard for me to loan out my fins and scooter :D
 
...BTW: Do we have anything to contradict the written correspondence that I have solicted from the appropriate regulatory staff. Does ANYONE have ANYTHING which contradicts my contention that I can legally knife food fish there AND collect tropicals?


Still looking for an update. ANY info. to contradict what I have been saying for months?

Sent a pm a week or two ago to the photo guy, but he's not yet responded.
 
Sorry everyone,

I have had some personal issues to deal with. I have sent out written requests for information today to the County government. I will let you know when they tell me how long it will take to get the info back to me.

Guy
 
Also, I reviewed some of the prior posts (have been away from this thread for a month). I must say I do not take issue with DD's comments about the HUGE volume of divers coming to the bridge and the serious impact from bottom disturbance. If we all agree this is a delicate and precious area, then we need to address the issues of (1) lots of classes coming here with ZERO bouyancy skills, surfacing for instructions while remaining vertical and kicking up the bottom (the place is only 10 feet deep, for goodness' sake), and in general just not being able to control their body and fin movements; (2) divers who are certified but exhibit the same problems; and, yes (3) photographers who harass the life, dig their cameras into the bottom without looking first, cannot control their body position, and generally stir things up.

But, things should be kept in perspective. The silt eventually settles (or is washed out with the next tide) and life goes on because it has not been destroyed. I have yet to see even the clumsiest diver or photographer kill anything. Diver issues like these impact on how much pleasure we get our of a particular dive, but just do not compare to the harm that the systematic taking of marine life out of the area would cause.

It is a classic logical flaw to argue that, because your opponent has minor flaws, you are justified in doing anything no matter how harmful.

Guy
 
:D
The best way for a "collector" to see a frogfish at the BHB marine park, is to look at the photos on the big BHB thread.... there are a bunch of recent ones, and I posted a link to a video I shot of one on a night dive.

I understand the Frogfish is a VERY DESIRABLE tropical salt water aquarioum fish, one that would most likely sell for big bucks...they pretty much need their own tank, due to their eating habits, but this would still create a rapid depletion scenario if collectors were to take an interest...If I am wrong about this, please explain why and how DD...
It just seems that as things stand, 99% of us are at the mercy of a handful of collectors, to not decide to remove 100% of some of the most desirable and rare fish we have here.
By your own reasoning, they would have the legal right to do this, and so the question would be, "WHY WOULDN'T THEY TAKE EVERY LAST ONE"?... There are not that many frogfish, or batfish, and if collectors came in numbers, even the population of octopus "could" be removed in a few short weeks.

There is no limit to how many collectors can remove fish at the BHB now. There is no limit to how many of a rare species can be removed from BHB in a given day or week, and no way to even track such a key piece of information, if collecting is to be allowed.

There are no Fish & Game officers watching divers as they come out of the water, to make sure that no "illegal" fish removals have occured, and how could you ever really budget for this? the Cost to watch a handful of people that "could" decimate a rare fish population would be enormous, and the alternative, to just outlaw the practice, would seem to cost the public much less.


ALSO.
I have been doing scooter runs over large ranges of the intracoastal outside of the BHB area. One thing I can say for certain, is that the concentration and diversity of life found at the BHB, is NOT duplicated anywhere else in the intracoastal. the mangrove areas support a small amount of life right around them, but in terms of relative concentration ( comparing it to BHB) the mangroves all along the north side of Singer Island to Munyon Island are a desert when compared to the BHB area.
The point being, BHB IS a unique spot, it is a nursery ground for marine life unlike anything else we have found in any part of the intracoaastal. Even the jetty by the Pumphouse, or the south jetty side at the point, do not harbor anything close to the diversity of species found at the BHB, or the nursery potential.

That being said, the pumphouse area and south jetty are areas collectors would not get negative comments from BHB divers about, the jetty areas really do repopulate almost daily, if they need to ( species competitions for space in this area) and more than likely, the major desires of collectors can be met at the jetty dive sites, minus the ultra rare species of the BHB that SHOULD NOT be taken anyway.

So what is the big problem with the collectors going to the jetties, or to shallow Breakers reefs by mooring balls or the underwater pier ( both swim from shore dives).

The best thing to do is if you see someone taking a rare fish that is illegal to take, drop a dime, get the persons license plate if you can see them goto a car. Write down the description etc. Whats even best, if you have a camera, get a picture of him. On another board divers who illegally took snook via spearfishing ended up getting caught. Sometimes its not about being a nuisance which can get you into trouble. Help the authorities do their jobs and be a good witness. And remember, keep your cool and be polite. The internet is a blessing and curse, and if you don't know what I mean, lawyers now troll FB, myspace and relevant forums for information to bolster their case.
 
....It is a classic logical flaw to argue that, because your opponent has minor flaws, you are justified in doing anything no matter how harmful.

Guy

What logical flaw? The place HAS been the site of collection for YEARS! It is only recently that the site has been "over-run" with silt kickers.

To ASSUME that continued collection has more impact than an ever expanded "hoard" of turbidity generators is unsubstantiated.

Thanks for taking the time to contact the county Staff on this issue.
 
ALSO.
I have been doing scooter runs over large ranges of the intracoastal outside of the BHB area. One thing I can say for certain, is that the concentration and diversity of life found at the BHB, is NOT duplicated anywhere else in the intracoastal. the mangrove areas support a small amount of life right around them, but in terms of relative concentration ( comparing it to BHB) the mangroves all along the north side of Singer Island to Munyon Island are a desert when compared to the BHB area.
The point being, BHB IS a unique spot, it is a nursery ground for marine life unlike anything else we have found in any part of the intracoaastal. Even the jetty by the Pumphouse, or the south jetty side at the point, do not harbor anything close to the diversity of species found at the BHB, or the nursery potential.

That being said, the pumphouse area and south jetty are areas collectors would not get negative comments from BHB divers about, the jetty areas really do repopulate almost daily, if they need to ( species competitions for space in this area) and more than likely, the major desires of collectors can be met at the jetty dive sites, minus the ultra rare species of the BHB that SHOULD NOT be taken anyway.

So what is the big problem with the collectors going to the jetties, or to shallow Breakers reefs by mooring balls or the underwater pier ( both swim from shore dives).

Wish we could trust what you tell us but you have proven along with alot of the other BHB regualrs that your willing to twist the truth & lie about some thing in your attempt to
NIMBY BHB. So why should any one trust you Know Dan?? Not to mention what your saying goes completly against what I have seen in my 30 years of lving in and growing up in florida. I have cast netted pleanty of sea horses red yellow or other wise from the muck of the rest of the intercoastal water way so good luck spreading your BHB is this rare and wonderful jewl BS on those dolts that will belive it.

You know what BHB is its your back yard dive site and just because you use it more you think you own it. The fact that your ok with collectors taking from some place that is a harder dive site than BHB tells me one thing. Your Lazy. So im curious just how obesse are you dan?? Having a hard time getting on and off the boat cause your stomach gets in the way??
 
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