Video: Underwater Fishing and Tagging of Goliath Grouper

[dumpsterDiver]

This is a quick video from saturday's dive out of Boynton Beach. Our objective was to retrieve a long term recording device from the site and also to catch and tag a few Goliath Grouper. On this day we decided to do the fishing underwater. With only 2 people on the boat, we dive solo. Trying to hold a camera and doing all the other underwater activities while solo is a little challenging, so some of the video is marginal.

The grouper sampling is authorized by permit from the FWC, if anyone has concerns..


[video=youtube_share;3Fhqr4yePLw]http://youtu.be/3Fhqr4yePLw[/video]

 

[SSharkk]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[JesperS]

Venting - Catch & Release Fishing - Florida Sea Grant ?

 

[scubadada]

What are the goals and objectives of your Goliath Grouper tagging program? Nothing personal, but I'm glad we've not crossed paths on the Castor, looks disturbing.

Good diving, Craig

 

[dumpsterDiver]

What are the goals and objectives of your Goliath Grouper tagging program? Nothing personal, but I'm glad we've not crossed paths on the Castor, looks disturbing.

Good diving, Craig

This post contains some relevant information.



http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...goliath-diving-more-deaths-2.html#post6509867

---------- Post Merged at 08:46 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:28 PM ----------

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

It looks pretty tough on the fish. Do you follow them back into the water with a snorkel to see if they seem alright?

I am sure there is no easy way to get these giants on a boat, but does dragging them around by their mouth through narrow spaces and over sharp platforms injure them? Maybe a canvas tarp or cradle with each of you lifting one side would be easier on the fish and just put them back at the stern instead of dragging them to the bow.

Not meant as criticism, but as a suggestion.

Also, which tagging program are you working with? Has the research developed any information about the fish and their life cycle? Any info about where they go when not in the aggregations?

 

[dumpsterDiver]

It looks pretty tough on the fish. Do you follow them back into the water with a snorkel to see if they seem alright?

I am sure there is no easy way to get these giants on a boat, but does dragging them around by their mouth through narrow spaces and over sharp platforms injure them? Maybe a canvas tarp or cradle with each of you lifting one side would be easier on the fish and just put them back at the stern instead of dragging them to the bow.

Not meant as criticism, but as a suggestion.

Also, which tagging program are you working with? Has the research developed any information about the fish and their life cycle? Any info about where they go when not in the aggregations?

We watch them swim down, the water was over 80 feet so it would be hard to snorkel and follow them. However, they seem to be stimulated from the 2 foot fall to the water and they generally bolt for the bottom. It is surprising how they seem so docile (for the most part) on the boat and then can bolt for the bottom. They are out of the water for a short period of time.

The platform and ladder etc, has no sharp edges. As for injuring their skin from the boat handling, I am not some kind of expert, but their skin is incredibly tough and thick. We also generally inject them with a tiny identification chip and it is tough to get a needle under the skin, even when you try to slide under a scale.

As for the research, we are both just volunteers and forward sample and data on to FSU. The previous link will lead to other references of publications I believe. It is my understanding that the fish can move considerable distances to form the aggregations. I know that they would very much appreciate any reports of tag numbers observed by divers (if you want to help).

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I bring my camera on every dive so hopefully I can get some tag info through my pictures or if I am lucky enough to get so close I can actually read the number.

Looks like there are still a good number around. Have to get to the Castor, still haven't dove it yet and it looks really great . . . .

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I know DD riled folks (me included) with the flounder knifing at BHB. But, if he and his friend get enjoyment from capturing the goliaths and then doing something constructive like tagging, seems OK. Doesn't seem different from catch and release hook and line capture, and tagging them that way. I suppose neither way is easy on the fish, as the two fatalities earlier this summer shows. But, if it helps the research I don't not see why not.

He speaks a lot for the spear community and if he is helping with research I think that is a constructive thing.

As for people getting upset over spearfishing in general, I don't get that. I speared for many years, just what I needed for a meal or two. I would never have speared even a 30 pound fish 'cause if I could not eat the meat fresh I did not want to freeze it, so I stuck to smaller fish (pun intended!!). However, spearing (or collecting) at a petting zoo like the BHB, or just to kill (like for sharks) for trophy status, yes I do not like that but that is a different thing.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I know DD riled folks (me included) with the flounder knifing at BHB. But, if he and his friend get enjoyment from capturing the goliaths and then doing something constructive like tagging, seems OK. Doesn't seem different from catch and release hook and line capture, and tagging them that way. I suppose neither way is easy on the fish, as the two fatalities earlier this summer shows. But, if it helps the research I don't not see why not.

He speaks a lot for the spear community and if he is helping with research I think that is a constructive thing.

As for people getting upset over spearfishing in general, I don't get that. I speared for many years, just what I needed for a meal or two. I would never have speared even a 30 pound fish 'cause if I could not eat the meat fresh I did not want to freeze it, so I stuck to smaller fish (pun intended!!). However, spearing (or collecting) at a petting zoo like the BHB, or just to kill (like for sharks) for trophy status, yes I do not like that but that is a different thing.

Not sure where sharks come into the picture? It is not legal to take sharks with a speargun where we live. I've only shot one shark in my entire life, and it was most certainly in self defense.