[Coral-List] Input request on killing endangered Goliath Grouper

Sarah Frias-Torres sfrias_torres at hotmail.com
Thu Jan 6 19:22:52 UTC 2022


There are still many natural wonders worth saving.
One of them is the magnificent, gentle giant, the Goliath Grouper.
I ask you to take a bit of time out of your busy schedule to help them

In March 2022, FWC Commissioners (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) will approve a kill fishery of endangered Goliath Grouper. This is against scientific evidence, in violation of the 1990 state and federal moratorium on harvest, and against the will of up to 90 % of stakeholders involved, including SCUBA divers, businesses, and fishers. The terms of the planned killing are listed below. If approved, the kill fishery will set the species back into the path of extinction.

Prior to approving the killing, FWC has set up an online workshop (Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. EST and
Jan. 13, at noon EST) where you can provide input on the final rule proposal.
Please, keep an eye on this link and consider attending. If you are unable to attend, there is a link to provide comment
https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops/

Notice the description of " highly regulated fishery" is disconnected from reality, as FWC has no capacity to enforce this type of fishery.

This short video illustrates the fragility of the Goliath Grouper population in Florida and challenges for conservation
https://vimeo.com/262453693


Table comparing the proposed draft rule to reopen a recreational kill fishery for endangered Goliath Grouper, and the changes requested by FWC Commissioners to add to the rule, so they can approve it in March 2022
Conditions of fishing take
Proposed
Change requested
Total fish per year
200
Increase total harvest, because it’s “too low a catch”
Open season
March 1 through May 31
Same
Size
20 to 36 inches
Increase the size of fish targeted because it was considered “too small” and “not enough for a trophy”
Gear
hook-and-line only
Same
Tag price
$500 per fish
Reduce the cost of the tag, because “it’s too expensive, and more people should be able to kill this fish”
Target area
all Florida state waters (including Everglades National Park)
except for Palm Beach County -Atlantic coast of the Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park
Expand targeted area because it’s ” too small”
Reporting of catch
Voluntary
Same
FWC enforcement
Honor system,  not enough resources to patrol all areas
Same (Notice: FWC has not enough enforcement capacity)



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Sarah Frias-Torres, Ph.D.
Twitter: @GrouperDoc
Science Blog: https://grouperluna.com/
Art Blog: https://oceanbestiary.com/



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