Save our Jewfish, aka Goliath Grouper news...

[scubadada]

Arent the permits for juvenile fish only?

Yes, those that will grow up and become spawners.

There is a relatively well-known GG in Boynton Beach that regularly hangs out at the Castor wreck named Wilbur. Ten years ago, he was short enough to be measured with a tape measure, less than an arm span. Now he is a very big guy. I last saw him twice during my visit to Boynton Beach in September

Trip Report - Finally, back at home 2023 #2

I was last down in June, first time this year since recovering from my broken leg at the end of last year. I had a great trip to Malpelo at the end of July. I flew down from Philadelphia to PBI on Tuesday. The plane was completely full. Airport at both ends was a breeze. Effortless car rental...

scubaboard.com

The sad part is that he had a large weight hanging out of his lower gill plate. Seems like he could just not stand a tempting bait.

The aggregation numbers seem to have peaked 2014-2017, I hope that is not true.

 

[CuzzA]

Hyperbole thread. Here's some reality.

On a recent NOAA survey shared to me from a charter captain, they actually got in the water to do a count of Goliath Grouper on a wreck. which is a start. But, I **** you not they only counted the side with 8 and ignored the 20 on the others side of the wreck. When asked why by the Captain of the chartered vessel, "We don't count the other side because they could move from side to side. Plus we want to make sure they will always be protected."

The fact the NOAA just announced the closure of the already shortened Gulf gag season when there's simply no possible way the rec TAC was met given Hurricane Idalia and the following week of thunderstorms and all of the boats that were pulled, or had damaged lifts and docks tells you all you need to know about the NOAA and the NMFS.

They've continuously lied about red snapper, red grouper and they claim there's hardly any Goliath grouper in the Gulf, when there's more biomass there than anywhere in Florida, but the Gulf ain't a touristy dive so most don't know.

Most of us believe in solid, sustainable fisheries management, they don't. Consequently, most people I talk to don't even care the rich men north of Richmond exist anymore. Well done.

 

[scubadada]

Hyperbole thread. Here's some reality.

On a recent NOAA survey shared to me from a charter captain, they actually got in the water to do a count of Goliath Grouper on a wreck. which is a start. But, I **** you not they only counted the side with 8 and ignored the 20 on the others side of the wreck. When asked why by the Captain of the chartered vessel, "We don't count the other side because they could move from side to side. Plus we want to make sure they will always be protected."

The fact the NOAA just announced the closure of the already shortened Gulf gag season when there's simply no possible way the rec TAC was met given Hurricane Idalia and the following week of thunderstorms and all of the boats that were pulled, or had damaged lifts and docks tells you all you need to know about the NOAA and the NMFS.

They've continuously lied about red snapper, red grouper and they claim there's hardly any Goliath grouper in the Gulf, when there's more biomass there than anywhere in Florida, but the Gulf ain't a touristy dive so most don't know.

Most of us believe in solid, sustainable fisheries management, they don't. Consequently, most people I talk to don't even care the rich men north of Richmond exist anymore. Well done.

Your conditions in the gulf may be different, do you have any objective data?

 

[tursiops]

Hyperbole thread. Here's some reality.

On a recent NOAA survey shared to me from a charter captain, they actually got in the water to do a count of Goliath Grouper on a wreck. which is a start. But, I **** you not they only counted the side with 8 and ignored the 20 on the others side of the wreck. When asked why by the Captain of the chartered vessel, "We don't count the other side because they could move from side to side. Plus we want to make sure they will always be protected."

The fact the NOAA just announced the closure of the already shortened Gulf gag season when there's simply no possible way the rec TAC was met given Hurricane Idalia and the following week of thunderstorms and all of the boats that were pulled, or had damaged lifts and docks tells you all you need to know about the NOAA and the NMFS.

They've continuously lied about red snapper, red grouper and they claim there's hardly any Goliath grouper in the Gulf, when there's more biomass there than anywhere in Florida, but the Gulf ain't a touristy dive so most don't know.

Most of us believe in solid, sustainable fisheries management, they don't. Consequently, most people I talk to don't even care the rich men north of Richmond exist anymore. Well done.

I get it. You don't like anybody telling you what you can or cannot do. Grow up.

 

[Tony Grogan]

My attached graphic of the data supports the decline as collected by FIU. The following story featuring Mote Marine Laboratory is very good. I have also volunteered with them on Goliath research for many years. Here is the story:

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

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

 

[tarponchik]

My attached graphic of the data supports the decline as collected by FIU. The following story featuring Mote Marine Laboratory is very good. I have also volunteered with them on Goliath research for many years. Here is the story:

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

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

Is it possible they moved elsewhere?

 

[tekkydiver]

Your conditions in the gulf may be different, do you have any objective data?;

My attached graphic of the data supports the decline as collected by FIU. The following story featuring Mote Marine Laboratory is very good. I have also volunteered with them on Goliath research for many years. Here is the story:

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

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

As they say, Garbage in -- Garbage out! I have spent the better part of the last two months in the keys. I can tell you first hand it is virtually impossible bringing in a fish off a wreck without a GG taking the catch. As a side note, those that think sharks are endangered should go to the Tortugas. Rest assured if you are targeting grouper and snapper, the 'tax man' will take a 50% cut.

 

[tursiops]

If a Florida resident would like to get a permit and not use it, I'll chip in $50 of the $150 needed. Anyone else want to help?

Bump

 

[CuzzA]

Your conditions in the gulf may be different, do you have any objective data?

The Gulf habitat is 100x the size of the skinny South Florida Reef track thanks to the huge shelf. Any day of the week, any time of the year, and just about anywhere on the Gulf Coast I could take you and put a diver on Goliath Grouper. I could put you on 1 on a reef ledge or 20 on a wreck. Take your pick.

Objective data is important. And that is my point. What the NOAA says is not objective. Mote Marine's latest report is not objective. These people may have marine biology degrees, but they either were taught common core math or they intentionally manipulate data to support their feelings. My data is just as good, if not better than there's, because I can count and we're not diving like they do. On a 4 man one day trip we will dive 24 different sites. You think they're doing that?

Now, I will be the first to say that I don't want open season on jewfish. However, I'm okay with tags at select sites. My money was spent on artificial fishing reefs and when the only species that exists on those sites are jewfish, that is not the intent of the projects.

Pete's nonsense about the current harvest system is illogical. That juvenile slot size fish is found in really skinny water and would be next to impossible to intentionally target. No one is buying those permits and if they do, and actually managed to catch one in the slot, the fish goes to FWC for research. Species are harvested all the time for research. So whether the FWC catches them at cost or they throw an old beat up bone to someone dumb enough to buy a permit and generate some extra revenue for them, it makes no difference.

The irony of a scuba board member buying a permit to not fish it actually does a disservice because they won't have the fish to do research on.

 

[CuzzA]

I get it. You don't like anybody telling you what you can or cannot do. Grow up.

Thank you. You prove my point and sound like the same people who are manipulating the data to push their agenda based on feelings. The elitist, I'm in charge attitude is exactly what is observed on survey charters reported by captains.