Megaptera
Registered
Dear ScubaBoard,
The future for the survival of goliath grouper will be decided November 15-17, 2010 in Key West Florida. This is the last population assessment meeting before the final report is sent to the Fishery Councils, and NOAA Fisheries in December 2010. The meeting is open to the public.
Goliath groupers are the largest grouper fish in the Atlantic Ocean. Due to overfishing and near extinction, the species has been protected in US waters since 1990. Today, Florida is the only place in the world where goliath groupers are still found and we can SCUBA dive with them, as well as visit them during their spawning aggregations. Elsewhere in the western Atlantic, the species is ecologically extinct. Pretty much gone. Meeting this magnificent grouper, this gentle giant in its natural habitat is the dive encounter of a lifetime.
There has been much pressure from certain sectors of the recreational fishing community to re-open the fishery. Their arguments are scientifically unfounded. I suggest you review my section of "five myths about goliath grouper" (google teamorca web site)
In previous meetings, the interests of the SCUBA diving community have been largely ignored. Goliath groupers are worth more money alive than dead, and diving to see them provides a sustainable income for many dive shops and affiliated business (hotels, restaurants, etc) in Florida. Remember that a goliath grouper can be seen many times through its more than 40 years of life expectancy.
Please, consider to attend the Key West meeting, and let your SCUBA diver voice be heard. Let the conservation continue for this endangered and fragile giant.
Details on meeting location and times can be found at the Federal Register of 6 October 2010. Basic information:
Location: Key West Marriott Beachside hotel, 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd.
When: November 15, 2010: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., November 16-17, 2010, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
The future for the survival of goliath grouper will be decided November 15-17, 2010 in Key West Florida. This is the last population assessment meeting before the final report is sent to the Fishery Councils, and NOAA Fisheries in December 2010. The meeting is open to the public.
Goliath groupers are the largest grouper fish in the Atlantic Ocean. Due to overfishing and near extinction, the species has been protected in US waters since 1990. Today, Florida is the only place in the world where goliath groupers are still found and we can SCUBA dive with them, as well as visit them during their spawning aggregations. Elsewhere in the western Atlantic, the species is ecologically extinct. Pretty much gone. Meeting this magnificent grouper, this gentle giant in its natural habitat is the dive encounter of a lifetime.
There has been much pressure from certain sectors of the recreational fishing community to re-open the fishery. Their arguments are scientifically unfounded. I suggest you review my section of "five myths about goliath grouper" (google teamorca web site)
In previous meetings, the interests of the SCUBA diving community have been largely ignored. Goliath groupers are worth more money alive than dead, and diving to see them provides a sustainable income for many dive shops and affiliated business (hotels, restaurants, etc) in Florida. Remember that a goliath grouper can be seen many times through its more than 40 years of life expectancy.
Please, consider to attend the Key West meeting, and let your SCUBA diver voice be heard. Let the conservation continue for this endangered and fragile giant.
Details on meeting location and times can be found at the Federal Register of 6 October 2010. Basic information:
Location: Key West Marriott Beachside hotel, 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd.
When: November 15, 2010: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., November 16-17, 2010, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
