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

[Sarah Frias-Torres]

Answering to some ideas proposed.


Yes, mass tagging of Goliath Grouper would be an interesting approach. I'm developing a photo identification system, through citizen science specifically for that purpose.

Here's the link

https://grouperluna.com/2016/09/05/have-you-seen-this-fish/

The abundance of Goliaths in my Grouper Luna homepage is from a spawning aggregation, and this photo is repeated sometimes through my posts with the correct labeling. Along with explanations of what a spawning aggregation is. I understand that in today's twitter attention span, people might mistake the image for overabundance, but the hope is that at least those in charge of managing the species will be capable of more than a 140 character attention span to decide the best management approach for the species.

DEMA has been very supportive of science-based management of Goliath Grouper over the years. For now, scientific evidence supports continued protection of the species in Florida. I agree with Steve: DEMA should also take the same approach for major threats to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. I think it is in the realm of possibility. Perhaps an invitation for scientists and DEMA to work together.


Sarah Frias-Torres, Ph.D.
Twitter: @GrouperDoc
Blog: http://grouperluna.wordpress.com
http://independent.academia.edu/SarahFriasTorres



________________________________
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov <coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml..noaa.gov> on behalf of David Blakeway <fathom5marineresearch at gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2017 5:48 PM
Cc: coral list
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] The SCUBA diving community supports Goliath Grouper protection

That's an interesting approach Matt. Ideas like that could make a
difference.

I think tagging en masse with today's technology would be too difficult,
others may know better.
Possibly the individuals could be photo-identified by their pattern of
spots, like the whale shark method.

Sarah, I think the photo on the Grouper Luna homepage, of 20+ grouper
milling about, could be counterproductive.
I guess it may be a spawning aggregation? (or they're being fed) but photos
like that may be used to support the
notion that grouper are overabundant.


On Sat, Aug 12, 2017 at 12:05 AM, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net>
wrote:

> 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
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
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