Keep the Longlines Out of the Current Closed Zones! The closed areas along Florida’s East Coast (FEC) and the DeSoto Canyons in the Gulf of Mexico were established to reduce the bycatch and discards …
GHOF, Phil Smith Automotive Group Partner to Promote Guy Harvey’s "Catch Me, Release Me" Specialty License Plate
10 Aug 20117:45 PM
The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has partnered with Phil Smith Automotive Group to help support the GHOF’s new ‘Catch Me… Release Me’ specialty license plate for the state of Florida. Customers who register for the ‘Catch Me… Release Me’ tag when purchasing a new vehicle at south Florida Phil Smith dealerships will receive a limited edition Guy Harvey poster and in addition, Phil Smith Automotive will make a $100 donation to the marine conservation efforts of the GHOF.
This offer is available to customers at Phil Smith Chevrolet in Ft. Lauderdale, Phil Smith Acura in Pompano Beach and Phil Smith Kia in Lighthouse Point. Offer expires on August 31, 2011 so stop into one of these Phil Smith dealerships today and help save our seas!
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![](mailto:?subject=GHOF, Phil Smith Automotive Group Partner to Promote Guy Harvey’s "Catch Me, Release Me" Specialty License Plate&body=The <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a> has partnered with <a title="Phil Smith Automotive web site" href="http://philsmithauto.com/" target="_blank">Phil Smith Automotive Group</a> to help support the GHOF’s new <a title=""Catch Me, Release Me" Specialty License Plate by Guy Harvey" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org/licenseplate.html" target="_blank">‘Catch Me… Release Me’ specialty license plate</a> for the state of Florida. Customers who register for the ‘Catch Me… Release Me’ tag when purchasing a new vehicle at south Florida Phil Smith dealerships will receive a limited edition Guy Harvey poster and in addition, Phil Smith Automotive will make a $100 donation to the marine conservation efforts of the GHOF.
<a href="http://philsmithauto.com/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-821" title="Phil Smith Automotive Group" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/psa-main_01.png" alt="" width="550" height="83" /></a>
This offer is available to customers at <a title="Phil Smith Chevrolet in Ft. Lauderdale web site" href="http://www.philsmithchevrolet.com/" target="_blank">Phil Smith Chevrolet in Ft. Lauderdale</a>, <a title="Phil Smith Acura in Pompano Beach" href="http://www.philsmithacura.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Phil Smith Acura in Pompano Beach</a> and <a title="Phil Smith Kia in Lighthouse Point" href="http://www.philsmithkia.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Phil Smith Kia in Lighthouse Point</a>. Offer expires on August 31, 2011 so stop into one of these Phil Smith dealerships today and help save our seas! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/ghof-phil-smith-automotive-group-partner-to-promote-guy-harveys-catch-me-release-me-specialty-license-plate/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Save the Billfish, Stop Longlining&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tbf-no-longlines-200131.png"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1743" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tbf-no-longlines-200131.png?w=650" /></a>Keep the Longlines Out of the Current Closed Zones!The closed areas along Florida's East Coast (FEC) and the DeSoto Canyons in the Gulf of Mexico were established to reduce the bycatch and discards of juvenile swordfish, billfish and other marine life. The benefits of these longline closed zones have been instrumental for the recreational fishing community with great numbers of billfish and swordfish caught in recent years. NMFS is proposing to allow access for longline vessels into these closed zones and must be stopped! If NMFS allows longline fishing in these areas, it could not only have large ecological impacts but tremendous socio-economic impacts on the sportfishing community.The Longline Closure Established in 2000 Have Resulted in a Beneficial Reduction of Billfish Bycatch Between 2001 and 2003, the years immediately after the longline closures were established, a 49.7% reduction in blue marlin bycatch, a 47.0% reduction in white marlin bycatch, and a 74.6% reduction in bycatch of sailfish resulted compared to the years preceding the longline closures.Between 2005 and 2011, blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish bycatch reduced by 61.6%, 59.8%, and 66.9%, respectively compared to when longlining was permitted<a href="http://takeaction.billfish.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12127&tag=eblast">Stop Longlining, Take Action NOW!</a> Support New Gear Restricted Areas (GRA) in the Gulf of MexicoNMFS is proposing the use of Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs) in the Gulf of Mexico which would prohibit the use of longlines, but still allow the use of alternative gear like buoy gear or greenstick gear. The most favorable of the proposed alternatives, a 3-month Gulf of Mexico Closure (March-May), would reduce for bluefin harvested by 12% and a reduce the discards of bluefin tuna by 10%. Billfish will also benefit in the Gulf of Mexico with a 3-month GRA and is estimated to reduce bycatch of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish by 8%, 4%, and 10% respectively. A 3-month Gulf of Mexico GRA would also result in an additional 12% reduction of under-sized swordfish discards.<img alt="" src="http://takeaction.billfish.org/images/Fish%20Photos/bft_tonyludovico_500_high.jpg" width="400" height="276" />TBF's Suggestion for Gulf of Mexico GRAsTo further increase the conservation benefits associated with the Gear Restricted Areas (GRA) in the Gulf of Mexico, TBF suggests a 4-month Gulf of Mexico GRA (March-June). If implemented, a further reduction of reduce the bluefin tuna bycatch and discards as well as double the conservation benefits for blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish.<a href="http://takeaction.billfish.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12127&tag=eblast">Stop Longlining, Take Action NOW!</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/save-the-billfish-stop-longlining/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Billfish Invitational $300 Fuel Credit From Bahama Out Island Promotion Board&body=Register now for the <a title="TBF web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com" target="_blank">Billfish Invitational</a> fishing tournament at the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biminibiggameclub.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> and you'll receive a $300 fuel credit from the Bahamas Out Island Promotions Board! The offer is available to any registered boat participating in the Billfish Invitational, and the $300 fuel credit will be applied to the folio of the registered boat at the time of the tournament. The fuel credit offer is limited to one fuel credit ($300) per registered boat. For more information, call 800.867.4764.
<a href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1234" title="Register Now for the Billfish Invitational!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/reels.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="412" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-300-fuel-credit-from-bahama-out-island-promotion-board/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Outpost to Open St. Pete Beach Resort&body=
<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutposttampabay.com"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1109" title="Guy Harvey Outpost, A TradeWinds Resort" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/logo_ghostpete1.jpg" alt="" width="356" height="335" /></a>
Third Location for Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts Program
Miami, Fla. (FEBRUARY 16, 2012)— Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts and Marinas today announced plans for opening its third resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, with the rebranding and renovation of the popular TradeWinds Sandpiper Suites to reflect the hospitality company’s emphasis on marine conservation and outdoor pursuits. To be branded the Guy Harvey Outpost, a TradeWinds Resort, the 211-room beachfront resort represents the company’s first Florida property, complementing its two projects in the Bahamas Out-Islands of Bimini and Rum Cay.
“The Tampa Bay/St. Pete area is a perfect fit for our first ever Guy Harvey Outpost in the U.S.,” remarked Guy Harvey in announcing plans for the conversion. “Not only does the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation support a number of marine research organizations and conservation initiatives in the area, but there are a seemingly endless amount of outdoor activities in the Tampa Bay region to keep our Outpost guests busy.”
<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutposttampabay.com"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1110" title="Guy Harvey Outpost, a TradeWinds Resort" src="http://guyharveyoutpost.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/tradewinds1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="365" /></a>
“Florida has some 1,200 miles of beachfront but only one where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay. One great beach and two amazing bodies of water make for endless water sport activities and a great resort setting to use as your base camp,” commented Mark Ellert, Outpost president. “Conde Nast Traveler magazine selected St. Pete Beach as one of the top six Florida resort destinations in its latest edition, so we’re in good company with our decision to put a flag here.”
Designated a “Blue Wave” beach by the national non-profit Clean Beaches Council, St. Pete Beach meets the council’s highest criteria for water quality, cleanliness, safety, maintenance and conservation efforts. The Guy Harvey Outpost is situated at the center of St. Pete Beach.
In converting to a Guy Harvey Outpost, owner and manager of the property TradeWinds Island Resorts intends to further its commitment to bringing conservation and recreation together. “The resort was the first to receive the coveted ‘Two Palm Florida Green Lodge’ designation for our ongoing conservation initiatives,” notes Keith Overton, president of TradeWinds Island Resorts. “By teaming up with Guy and his Outpost hotel brand, we’re boldly underscoring our company’s commitment to his vision that the future of sustainable tourism sits at the intersection of conservation, education and recreation.”
Water sports are virtually unlimited in the Tampa/St. Pete area, notes Captain Ned Stone, Outpost Programs Director. “You’ll run out of time before you run out of things to do in the area.” Ticking off the many water sport pursuits, Stone adds “there’s world class offshore and backcountry fishing, scuba diving on mysterious wrecks, dolphin encounters, a life-time of back country kayak and stand up paddle boarding, kiteboarding and surfing.” https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-outpost-to-open-st-pete-beach-resort/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey, Sir Richard Branson Discuss Marine Conservation Issues&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/branson1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1487 " title="Meeting with Sir Richard Branson" alt="" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/branson1.jpg" height="446" width="495" /></a>Left to right: Michael Ryan, Guy Harvey, Madeleine Ryan, Jessica Harvey and Sir Richard Branson.
I recently had an opportunity to meet with <a title="About Sir Richard Branson" href="http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson" target="_blank">Sir Richard Branson</a>, founder and chairman of the <a title="Virgin Group web site" href="http://www.virgin.com/" target="_blank">Virgin Group</a>. Sir Richard was in Grand Cayman to deliver the keynote speech at the recent "Alternative Investment Conference", which was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Grand Cayman. The event was organized and hosted by Michael Ryan and also featured such notables as former U.S. President George W. Bush and former world's number one golfer Greg Norman.
After the conference, I was able to meet with Sir Richard for a few minutes to discuss the potential for collaborating with the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>. I gave Sir Richard a quick overview of the GHOF and briefed him on several of the projects the Foundation has supported, with specific details on studies involving tiger sharks, mako sharks, bluefin tuna and billfish.
I elaborated on the role that GHOF research has played in highlighting the importance of the Bahamas archipelago to many species of sharks. In a collaborative effort with the <a title="BNT web site" href="http://www.bnt.bs/" target="_blank">Bahamas National Trust</a> and the <a title="Pew web site" href="http://www.pewenvironment.org/" target="_blank">Pew Environmental Group</a>, we convinced the government of the Bahamas to protect all sharks from commercial exploitation within their 200 mile EEZ.
Here in the Cayman Islands, the GHOF in involved in a multitude of research projects that includes Nassau grouper conservation, lionfish eradication and recruitment, and climate change studies at <a title="CCMI web site" href="http://www.reefresearch.org/ccmi_website/home.htm" target="_blank">CCMI</a> in Little Cayman. We are also actively engaged in shark research and blue marlin migration studies.
Documentary film making has also been a priority, so during the last year the Guy Harvey Expeditions team of producer George Schellenger, Jessica Harvey and myself have been on location nine times to conduct shoots in Panama, Nova Scotia, Little Cayman, Cocos Island (Costa Rica), the Bahamas and Isla Mujeres (Mexico). Our group made three trips to Isla Mujeres in 2012, teaming up with Captain Anthony Mendillo and crew to complete shoots on sailfish, mako sharks and whale sharks. Sir Richard was particularly interested in the sailfish and whale shark work as he has visited Isla Mujeres on several occasions, also guided by Captain Anthony. We discussed the limited research done on sailfish and whale sharks and the opportunity to collaborate with the <a title="GA web site" href="http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/" target="_blank">Georgia Aquarium</a> research team in future research and conservation efforts.
I went to some length explaining the value of catch and release sport fishing to Caribbean island and Central American economies. I emphasized the need for a regional approach as many of the large pelagic species cover great distances that cross several jurisdictions. This requires a coordinated effort in management and conservation as one country’s regulations may not be the same as its neighbors.
I also discussed the need for research work on all the species mentioned, as without the scientific data one cannot make management decisions and thus achieve sustainability and conservation. Fishing is the method by which we access many of these creatures for study, underwater photography, tagging and genetic work. Sir Richard was not keen on fishing but acknowledged it is a useful tool in this arena.
We moved on to some more local issues, the hot topics being the condition of the <a title="Cayman Turtle Farm web site" href="http://www.turtle.ky/" target="_blank">Cayman Turtle Farm</a> and the issue regarding stingray conservation through law. Sir Richard was concerned that turtles could still be fished by local licensed fishermen, given that turtles are protected world-wide. I pointed out that none of the current license holders have continued with this activity. The turtle farm itself needed to be divested I said, and turned into a better marine attraction whose focus was more on turtle replenishment, research and husbandry than on the consumption of the turtle meat. Our belief is that there are hundreds of thousands of turtle lovers who would be willing to donate $5 or $10 towards a satellite tagging program that would allow the turtles to be set free so that they can provide information about migrations and long distance journeys.
The treatment of the stingrays in the Caymans is another sore point for many locals. The resident stingray populations have been sabotaged and removed by unknown persons for at least the last two years, and our census studies have shown a 50% reduction in the population during that time (a decade of research by the GHOF and the Dept of Environment has provided the base line information about this population). Four tagged stingrays were recently discovered in the Dolphin Discovery tourist attraction. Though the four tagged rays were released, the owners of the attraction have refused to release six untagged rays. Sir Richard said it should be very simple to change the law and have stingrays enjoy full protection from poaching given their ecological importance and their value to the island. After all the people of the Cayman Islands and millions of visitors have an enjoyed and benefited from this unique experience for the last 30 years.
The proposed expansion of marine parks by the Dept of Environment was a good move and Sir Richard commented that fishing has been known to improve in areas adjacent to marine parks. He said there are models out now that show countries need to protect 40 – 50 % of their shallow reef areas to ensure long term survivability. I commented that the Cayman Islands were a world leader in the formation of marine parks and in the protection of the spawning sites of the iconic Nassau grouper.
Sir Richard was very gracious and listened to many of our comments and suggestions. The meeting was much appreciated by all involved and the GHOF look forward to collaborating with Sir Richard and his foundation on several projects. It is our collective responsibility to conserve the marine environment and maintain the biodiversity of the planet.
Fish responsibly, dive safely. Guy Harvey PhD. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-sir-richard-branson-discuss-marine-conservation-issues/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=FWC Decides Not to Reopen Snook Season on Florida’s West Coast&body=<a href="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/499.jpg"><img title=""Side-Liners" by Guy Harvey" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/499.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="282" /></a>
Catch & release still permitted during closure
NOTE: This story was posted today on <a title="TBO.com" href="http://www2.tbo.com/" target="_blank">TampabayOnline.com</a> by Special Correspondent Frank Sergeant
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission ruled this week that the snook fishing season will remain closed on the state's west coast, rather than reopening Sept. 1 as scheduled.
The season has been closed due to a 2010 cold-kill, which wiped out tens of thousands of fish from Clearwater to Naples.
"This is a wise move," said snook guide Scott Moore of Holmes Beach. "I'm seeing big fish and a few slot (keeper-sized) fish, but no little fish — we're missing whole-year classes due to the winter kill, and we need to get more in the pipeline before we start taking them again."
The continued closure also was supported by the Coastal Conservation Association, which said that the number of adult snook on the west coast was down 20 percent after the freeze, and the numbers of juvenile fish killed was probably much greater.
The season will reopen Sept. 1, 2013, if the commission takes no further action.
Catch-and-release fishing for snook is permitted during the closure. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/fwc-decides-not-to-reopen-september-1st-snook-season-on-floridas-west-coast/){kind=link}
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