Thank you for posting the clip DumpsterDiver, it really shows the setup and behaviors well. It looks like the free divers were expecting it too and attempted to intercede. Still, groupers can move very fast. I have heard of some scuba divers shooting up that way on sit on top scooters (outside of shark feeds too). It is good to see these folks trying to even the odds up by free diving. It seems goliaths may be more common on wrecks than reefs these days. I have spoken with both divers and researchers over the years who have made the same observation.
As long as we're talking about controversial topics, to some anyway, how about the following out of Key West related to Mini-Season in the Keys? What do you think about the US following the lead of most other countries and compelling harvesting of pretty much everything to be limited to free diving? It sounds like there is a need for more enforcement and the increased fees would be one way to help make that happen. I can see a basis for an exemption for Monroe county residents but on the other side believe all divers should participate in the added fees regardless of the location of their residence. All divers contribute to pressuring the resource and Keys residents cheat as well at times as do some visitors. In the end, most of us want to preserve the resource, we may just disagree on how to accomplish that.
"Here is a Letter to the Editor (at KeysNet.com)
Lobster mini-season needs more limits
Tom Casey Marathon July 26, 2014
This coming week's lobster mini-season is not mini-season; it's lobster-mobster season.
Multiple trips out with multiple limits reached are the norm with many out-of-towners (and a few locals) that come to the Keys. Poaching prior to season is quite evident already.
Hey, here's a solution. Allow lobstering from sun-up to noon. All boats must pull anchor by noon and be in motion toward shore. If you can't get your limit in five hours, too bad. Almost everyone on the water in the afternoon is going for their second or third "limit."
Doesn't the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission call this sport season? What's so sporting about using scuba tanks? Free-diving is sporting, especially in the gulf. Ban scuba use for mini-season. Abalone diving in cold, rough, murky Northern California is free-diving only. That's sporting.
So fishing licenses for out-of-state visitors cost more than resident licenses. Makes sense, but lobster stamps are the same for residents and mobsters. Why?
Raise the lobster tag fee to $20 for out-of-staters or even out-of-Monroe County people. For example, if you live in Broward and dive in Broward, if you want to dive in the Keys, pay more to do so. Hey, make mini-season a separate license fee, and use all that money to add 50 or more patrol boats.
Use private boats with uniformed officers. Fantasy Fest is nothing compared to the law-breaking that goes on during mini-season.
It also makes sense to have punch tags for mini-season lobster, like California does for abalone. Punch your tag for every lobster brought on board. You have 12 punch holes for each license holder. If you are stopped without punching, you forfeit your catch and license, and have your boat impounded for 90 days, in addition to fines.
Why not have a maximum boat limit -- six per diver and 24 maximum per boat no matter how many divers are on board. Many mobsters load the boat with non-divers (with gear and licenses) and plunder multiple limits."
