[Coral-List] The SCUBA diving community supports Goliath Grouper protection

[Steve Mussman]

Dear Sarah,
I've often been critical of the U.S. recreational scuba diving industry (represented by DEMA) when it comes to marine conservation issues, but perhaps their support for the continuation of a moratorium on Goliath Grouper harvesting in Florida signals the beginning of a change for the better. Most heartening was DEMA's expressed support for additional scientific research and the recognition that there is a need for accurate scientific data in the formulation of their position on issues like this going forward. Let's hope they continue the trend and begin to react more in concert with the established scientific consensus on other major threats to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.
Warm regards,
Steve Mussman

Sent from my iPad



Sent from my iPad
> On Aug 10, 2017, at 1:48 PM, Sarah Frias-Torres <sfrias_torres at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> To Coral-Listers interested in Goliath Groupers...
> 
> 
> .... the plot thickens.
> 
> 
> Now, the recreational SCUBA diving community asks FWC to continue protection of Goliath Groupers in Florida.
> 
> 
> Here are two letters sent to FWC
> 
> 
>> From the President and CEO of the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA)
> 
> https://grouperluna.com/2017/08/10/dema-supports-science-based-goliath-grouper-protection/
> 
> 
> and from a husband and wife team of long-time Florida SCUBA divers
> 
> https://grouperluna.com/2017/08/04/scuba-divers-want-goliath-groupers-protected/
> 
> 
> 
> Sarah Frias-Torres, Ph.D.
> Twitter: @GrouperDoc
> Blog: http://grouperluna.wordpress.com
> http://independent.academia.edu/SarahFriasTorres
> 
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