Stop The Harvest Of The Endangered Goliath Grouper In Florida

One of our concerned members, Edward Dorson, brought this issue to my attention this week, after he responded to an appeal recently made by underwater photographer Walt Stearns. Somehow the fisheries management groups in Florida have decided that the best way to learn more about the reproductive and other biological aspects of the Goliath Grouper is to enlist fishermen to take 800 of these beautiful creatures over the next 2 years for scientific research. Once popular residents on the reefs in southeast Florida, they virtually disappeared from fishing pressures. But in recent years the Goliath Grouper staged a comeback. As a diver, I take issue with pulling 800 of these magnificent creatures from the ocean. In an era where the large, easy targeted fish are disappearing before our eyes, I'd rather opt to understand less about them and allow them continue roaming the seas. However, the fisheries departments don't see it that way. Below I have compiled some information on the issue and I'm including a form letter, drafted by Edward, that you can use or modify to send to the appropriate parties voicing your concern and protest...