Sad day for Blue Heron Bridge

[lowviz]

I missed his quote.

I sent him an email asking for same. He may respond...

 

[lexvil]

My take as an observer having never been there;
If the collecting was wrong, morally, ethnically or legally, than it is wrong wherever it is done. If it is ok than its ok wherever it’s done.

If you feel it wasn’t justified look for regulations that protect everywhere not just where it can be observed, some sort of inspection process would also need to be included to be effective.

Just my opinion.

 

[Wookie]

My take as an observer having never been there;
If the collecting was wrong, morally, ethnically or legally, than it is wrong wherever it is done. If it is ok than its ok wherever it’s done.

If you feel it wasn’t justified look for regulations that protect everywhere not just where it can be observed, some sort of inspection process would also need to be included to be effective.

Just my opinion.

I disagree. Is fishing, either recreationally or commercially wrong? I like fish, and I fish recreationally, and I grew up fishing commercially. That doesn't mean that there shouldn't be set aside areas (Marine Protected areas, if you will) where fishing is not allowed, or in the very successful case of St. Lucia, zones where diving isn't allowed, or where fishing isn't allowed, or where only fishing by primitive means is allowed.

BHB is special because it is a place where a tourist can go see interesting species of fish in their natural habitat and be pretty much guaranteed of a sighting.

 

[lowviz]

If you feel it wasn’t justified look for regulations that protect everywhere not just where it can be observed, some sort of inspection process would also need to be included to be effective.

That is a simplistic view.

No protected species were taken (no oversight or proof of that either, just taking them at their word). There are endless sites where the same species can be taken, but you might have to break a fingernail to do so. Sorry, those sites just don't have the same access and amenities as BHB.

This is a case of shooting deer in the park. Those fish are used to seeing divers and used to being left alone. Spook the whole lot and you ruin it for everyone.

I don't deny them their science, just their utter lack of consideration for anyone else.

 

[uncfnp]

For individuals not familiar with BHB.

This is a bridge that connects Singer Island to mainland Florida, located over the intercoastal waterway of Lake Worth Inlet. It is a very small sanctuary that provides an easy access, from Phil Foster Park or by boat, to a very diverse ecosystem and has been featured in multiple diving magazines and National Geographic. Divers visit from around the world to see creatures that are both common and uncommon but rarely so reliably seen in such a small area. I personally have seen fish and invertebrates there that I have seen no where else, although they are not unique to the area.

Diving here is like diving in an aquarium. Hunting or collecting in this area is equivalent to collecting from an aquarium. It’s that kind of a dive site. You simply can not equate it to open ocean sites.

 

[The Chairman]

I personally have nothing against recreational fishing there

I do. There are no takeable fish under the bridge. Perhaps every now and then one cruises through. However, I have had a hook plop just in front of me there during a dive. Under the bridge should be off limits to fishing when dive flags are present.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-...cused-of-over-collecting-fish-at-13291005.php

From the article:
"Moody Gardens said it had gathered fish from three sites, Blue Heron Bridge, the Blue Heron Bridge Snorkel Trail and the Fort Pierce Marina Dock— a dock found some 60 miles north of the Blue Heron Bridge."
I wasn't aware that the snorkel trail was separate from Blue Heron Bridge. Heck, they could of said the playground area and called it a different site, as also the east span and the west span.
And collecting from a dock? Geesh.. another easy access place.
Glad FWC revoked the permit.
And maybe, just maybe some good will come of this. Maybe BHB and the surrounding area will become a protected area (you can still legally collect from a boat there)... hmmm thinkiing as I am typing. Maybe it was the commercial collecting from land that was the illegal part that caused FWC to take the permit?
Whatever the outcome, and I am really hoping for protected status that NO collecting, from boat, shore, commercial, or recreational is allowed.

 

[dmaziuk]

They're scientists and professionals. How do they not know?

A grad student from A&M? A "scientist and professional"? And that's the one with enough brain power to get into the grad school, who knows what the others are like.

 

[lowviz]

A grad student serves one god, the graduate advisor. The goal was to collect fish. I assume the advisor was present to oversee how the collection was being done IRL?

 

[kelemvor]

I do. There are no takeable fish under the bridge. Perhaps every now and then one cruises through. However, I have had a hook plop just in front of me there during a dive. Under the bridge should be off limits to fishing when dive flags are present.

I've been caught by a hook at BHB. The fisherman dragged me to the surface, where both the fisherman and I had words. He was probably super disappointed that he hadn't really caught a big fish and had instead caught a big fleshy monster. Similar to all people, most fishermen are ok. This particular one was an arsehole.

I remember being really confused as to why I was moving up the water column. I didn't really figure it out until I broke the surface and heard the guy yelling. When I think back about the incident I get a good laugh, but at the time it didn't seem funny. He caught me by the wing, and somehow the hook didn't pierce the wing's bladder. I guess the stuff diverite makes their bladders and wing material out of really is decent.

Personally, I'd like to see the water around BHB turned into a Sanctuary Preservation Area like we have in the keys. I think that would put an end to fishing from both ends of the bridge so it would likely meet some resistance.