BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Goliath Groupers Causing Problems In South West Florida

Boating All Out

In article , says...

On 9/19/14 2:41 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:31:19 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

http://www.abc-7.com/clip/10574887/goliath-grouper-pose-problems-for-fisherman-5-pm#at_pco=cfd-1.0

Great video of a giant grouper taking a large shark and also a scuba
divers fin.

We were once anchored in the Dry Tortugas (Ft Jefferson) and a giant
grouper camped out in the shadow of our boat. Every once in a while
he would stick his nose out where we could see him. His mouth was as
big as a pie plate.

It is probably time to open up some take permits.
We tend to over shoot sometimes when we try to protect a species.

Right. How dare the fish want to live in *their* environment.

It's the job of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to
set Jewfish harvesting policy.
They've been studying it, tagging, etc.
It's only of interest to commercial interests. Jewfish eat mostly crabs
and rough fish.
You can catch them now. Just have to release them. The meat isn't any
better than other grouper.
Spearfishermen would wipe them out in a few years.
I see nothing wrong with line permits if it's justified.