This approximately 14 ft., 800 lb. blue marlin was recently caught and released off Rum Cay by Paul Updike and Capt. Glenn Cameron. To book your own Guy Harvey Outpost, Rum Cay fishing expedition, contact …
In this Expedition Notebook, Jessica Harvey looks at everyone’s favorite marine creature – the Sea Turtle!
14 Jul 20209:52 AM
Join Guy Harvey and his daughter Jessica as they travel the world to study and document the largest predators and most exotic wildlife on land and in the sea. In this Expedition Notebook look at everyone’s favorite marine creature – the Sea Turtle!
Become part of our Turtle Team when visiting the Guy Harvey Resort St Augustine Beach. During sea turtle nesting season book our Turtle Time Special and $10 of your nightly room rate will be donated to sea turtle conservation and education. Receive a Guy Harvey Sea Turtle Tervis Tumbler and Guy Harvey Turtle Team Decal at check-in for helping save the turtles.
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![](mailto:?subject=Goliath Grouper, Grouper & Snapper Management Meeting Jan 7-9&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/goliath-at-hand.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1785" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/goliath-at-hand.jpg?w=650" /></a>
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2013
CONTACT: Kim Iverson
877/SAFMC-10 or <a href="tel:843.571.4366" target="_blank">843.571.4366</a>
<a href="mailto:kim.iverson@safmc.net" target="_blank">kim.iverson@safmc.net</a>
Joint Meeting on South Florida Management Issues and the Goliath Grouper Joint Council Steering Committee Scheduled
A joint committee of the Gulf and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils will meet January 7 - 9, 2014 in Key Largo, FL to discuss South Florida Management Issues. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Key Largo Resort and will begin on Tuesday, January 7th at 8:30 a.m., and conclude on Thursday, January 9th by 12 p.m.
Agenda items for the meeting of the Joint Council Committee on South Florida Management Issues include:
Presentation on the South Florida Issues workshops held in July/August 2013;
Overview of status and trends for South Florida species; and
Discussion of species specific management concerns and next steps for yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, hogfish, mangrove snapper, shallow-water groupers, Nassau grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind.
Additionally, the Ad Hoc Goliath Grouper Joint Council Committee and the Joint Council Committee On South Florida Management Issues will meet to review the last stock assessment for goliath grouper and to hear a presentation on the recent Goliath Grouper Stakeholder Workshops and survey. Other items on the agenda include the review of recommendations from the Ad Hoc Goliath Grouper Joint Science workshop and a review of ongoing goliath grouper research.
Meeting information including the full agenda can be found at: <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-y8UF1K6NmIaewaMaxtnA7z8Bu7NDuGU1xXsnFysAfc_OHCZxtyeqRNHW0IeTHQQlMjkBKNOsreHOexhHvrxonJQApwKrab2mA5vnZxHL9Ya1djm93AQZFxZ3zu15vhGHKam55nuePvIh3KwNpVZIb52XrYLtguuUawqNusL8y1tJTPeDG-wLTMr7RyCJxTaSSX2W4Z4zTNAa6_sJ_9UFCGxnHa4xMCB9_DKBQUsB2tLZU9JH8lRI3b_SqnNotp_k2pVK7q--0L_z8aOkN8QOsTya88ZyKqwyh04u55GzqkelLalG-YXCv11k24t5QlGG-fIxwzVCjq-b3JhOETEUAxZDzicyLwRBjC4TZx7nP6ony6jfzl04Qulgt0x-bVzP_E2ILK6bBU=&c=rvA1hCGDuSeTSKycMBZPEzj8S2GbrL2PVTNdThCSvGcN_MhYTaXMXA==&ch=pz6LpIWwvqO0AECK4m6CTJGzPYROaUAatZiloCPNuO_JcftFyEIrNg==" target="_blank">http://safmc.net/meetings/other-meetings</a>.
Photo Courtesy of <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/adventures/fishing/offshore/captain-randy-towe.html">Capt. Randy Towe</a>
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/goliath-grouper-grouper-snapper-management-meeting-jan-7-9/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Supporting New Shark-Free Marinas Initiative Florida Campaign&body=<a href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/florida/submission/submission/"><img class="aligncenter" title="SFMI 2011 Florida Campaign" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/florida-campaign.png" alt="" width="285" height="100" /></a>
Converting Florida Marinas Critical to Health of Shark Populations
The <a title="SFMI web site" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/" target="_blank">Shark-Free Marinas Initiative</a> (SFMI) is reaching out to marinas in Florida to ask for their support in conserving the world’s shark populations. Organized as a cooperative by the <a title="Pegasus Foundation web site" href="http://www.pegasusfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Pegasus Foundation</a>, the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a> and <a title="US Humane Society web site" href="http://www.humanesociety.org/" target="_blank">The Humane Society of the United States</a>, the SFMI aims to reduce shark mortality worldwide by discouraging the landing of sharks and encouraging catch-and-release of sharks in sport fishing, while rewarding forward-thinking marinas that participate in this program. Supporting organizations include <a title="MML web site" href="http://www.mote.org/" target="_blank">Mote Marine Laboratory</a>, the <a title="PEG web site" href="http://www.pewenvironment.org/" target="_blank">Pew Environment Group</a>, <a title="Fishpond USA web site" href="http://www.fishpondusa.com/" target="_blank">Fishpond USA</a> and the <a title="Fisheries Conservation Foundation" href="http://www.fisheriesconservationfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Fisheries Conservation Foundation</a>.
“Shark populations worldwide have suffered severe declines due to over-fishing,” says world renowned artist, angler and conservationist, Dr. Guy Harvey, “Marinas in Florida can now do their part to help conserve these ecologically vital animals by joining the SFMI.”
Sharks are currently being killed at an unsustainable rate. A scientific study published by Imperial College, London estimated that the fins of from 26 million up to 73 million sharks per year were being traded through the world’s fin markets as of the year 2000, mostly for shark fin soup. In addition, the U.S. government estimates that recreational fishing killed an average of more than 200,000 sharks along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coast each year between 2004 and 2008.
“Many sharks species have declined because of overfishing, which recreational fishing has contributed to in the U.S.,” notes Dr. Robert Hueter, senior scientist and director, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research. “Sustaining these species is in the interest of recreational anglers as well as marine conservationists.”
Marinas in Florida can help reduce the number of sharks being killed by joining the SFMI and preventing dead sharks from being brought back to their docks. "There is no state more important to the success of this initiative in the United States than Florida, the sport-fishing capital of the world," says Luke Tipple, managing director of the SFMI. ""Because of the number of shark species off Florida, and the sheer number of nursery grounds and migratory routes located there, protecting Florida's sharks is critical to maintaining the health of Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters."
<a href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/"><img title="SFMI Logo" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/sfmilogo.jpg" alt="" width="324" height="347" /></a>
SFMI supporter John Land Le Coq, co-founder of Fishpond USA, agrees. “Sharks are the guardians of the ocean and play an essential part in the health of the ocean. Most anglers I know are very concerned about the status of sharks. I hope every marina in Florida joins this important program. ”
According to Dr. John Grandy, senior vice president, The Humane Society of the United States, “Thousands of dollars in prizes are offered in shark tournaments that the government itself acknowledges are poorly monitored. Kill tournaments and misinformed media support the antiquated concept that the only good shark is a dead shark. This has to change.”
There are two different levels of commitment for an interested marina. It can either become a “Shark-Free Marina” that completely prohibits the landing of all sharks on its docks or a “Shark-Friendly Marina” — a facility that discourages the killing and landing of sharks and does not promote any activity that could harm sharks.
“The SFMI works in tandem with businesses and fishermen to increase the awareness of the need to protect our sharks and oceans,” says Barbara Birdsey, founder of the Pegasus Foundation. “This is a voluntary program that will prevent the needless killing of these ecologically and economically vital animals.” Each marina will also receive recognition around the world as a partner in this growing initiative.
Dr. Harvey summarizes: “I encourage recreational fishermen everywhere to join with me and SFMI to help protect sharks and our oceans. Our world needs sharks.”
Facts
The U.S. government estimates that, on average, more than 200,000 sharks were killed annually off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coast by sport fishermen for each year between 2004 and 2008.
In 2009, close to 2,000 shortfin mako sharks were killed in recreational and commercial fisheries in the U.S., leading the National Marine Fisheries Service to declare that shortfin mako sharks are “overfished.” Despite asking fishermen to voluntarily release these sharks unharmed, tournaments targeting makos have continued.
Today the dusky shark population in the northwestern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico is estimated to have lost 80-85 percent of its population since the mid-1970s, according to research cited by a 2011 NMFS report. The NMFS prohibited recreational fishermen from possessing duskies starting in in 2000, but they can be difficult to identify and some sport fishermen still catch and release them.
Forward thinking anglers have already created new fishing tournaments that help conserve sharks and support marine research. For example, in 2011, the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge, an annual Catch and Release Tournament in SW Florida awarded $10,000 in prizes for research related tagging, while the Ocean City (Md.) Shark Tournament awarded $30,000 in prizes in its Catch and Release Division.
The Shark-Free Marina Initiative is a program of The Humane Society of the United States. It is strongly supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Fishpond USA, Mote Marine Laboratory, Oceanic Defense, The Fisheries Conservation Foundation, the Cape Eleuthera Institute and the Pegasus Foundation.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-ocean-foundation-supporting-new-shark-free-marinas-initiative-florida-campaign/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Florida Sea Grant Announces Five 2012 Guy Harvey Scholarship Recipients&body=<a href="http://flseagrant.org/"><img title="Florida Sea Grant" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/florida-sea-grant-logo.png" alt="" width="144" height="98" /></a>
February 2, 2012 (Gainesville, FL) – A record five graduate students at universities in Florida have been awarded $5,000 scholarships as winners of the <a title="About the Guy Harvey Scholarship" href="http://flseagrant.org/students/scholarshipsfellowships?id=242" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Scholarship Award</a>, recognizing their outstanding achievement in marine science research.
The winners are Felipe Carvalho and Sarah Stephens, <a title="UF web site" href="http://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank">University of Florida</a>; M. Laura Habegger, <a title="USF web site" href="http://www.usf.edu/" target="_blank">University of South Florida</a>; Sean Bignami, <a title="UM web site" href="http://www.miami.edu/" target="_blank">University of Miami</a>; and Kier Smith, <a title="FAU web site" href="http://www.fau.edu/" target="_blank">Florida Atlantic University</a>.
The scholarship, established in 2010 through a partnership between <a title="FSG web site" href="http://flseagrant.org/" target="_blank">Florida Sea Grant</a> and the <a title="GHOF" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>, recognizes students at Florida universities whose research focuses on novel strategies for improving sustainable management of large marine fish and sharks.
“Originally, the Guy Harvey Foundation had planned on providing two scholarships,” says Florida Sea Grant director <a title="Bio for Karl Havens " href="http://flseagrant.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=56:management&id=132:karl-havens&Itemid=68" target="_blank">Karl Havens</a>. “However, when they saw the high quality of applicants, the foundation was tremendously generous in deciding to support the research of five students.
“Clearly the innovative work proposed by these students will have major impacts in regard to meeting the objective of the award.”
Since the award was established three years ago, $24,000 in scholarships has been given to six students at Florida universities. Recipients also receive a certificate designed and signed by well-known marine wildlife artist and conservationist <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>.
Synopsis of the Winning Applications
<a href="http://flseagrant.org/students/scholarshipsfellowships?id=242"><img title="2012 Recipients of the Guy Harvey Scholarship Awards" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/guy_harvey_web_banner.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="100" /></a>
Carvalho is conducting research related to the management of blue shark populations in the Atlantic Ocean. His research is about supporting the training of scientists and technicians to use remote sensing methods to track movement of these large predators.
Stephens is working with fishing guides in three Caribbean regions to teach them how to use dart tags to track the movements of permit, working in cooperation with the <a title="BTT web site" href="http://www.tarbone.org/" target="_blank">Bonefish Tarpon Trust</a>.
Habegger is studying how the principles of physics and engineering can be used to understand the role of the bill when billfishes feed, in hopes of discovering practical management strategies, such as specialized fishing gear that reduces by-catch in commercial fisheries, or reduces stress on billfish caught in recreational tournaments.
Bignami is studying how the changing chemistry of marine waters as a result of ocean acidification might affect the early development of large marine fish, using mahi mahi and cobia as case studies.
Smith is developing and testing a method for treating fishing hooks with a graphite and zinc mixture which in preliminary tests appears to be effective in keeping sharks from biting the hooks. The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of sharks caught in long-line commercial fisheries.
The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is an organization of philanthropists, conservationists, scientists and educators that emphasizes sensible strategies for promoting ocean conservation and the development of the next generation of marine scientists. The foundation funds research and educational programs developed by universities, colleges, institutes and nonprofit organizations.
<a title="About the GH Scholarship Award & Past Winners" href="http://flseagrant.org/images/PDFs/tp184_guy_harvey_excellence_award.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> to learn more about the Guy Harvey Scholarship and the work of its past winners. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/florida-sea-grant-announces-five-2012-guy-harvey-scholarship-recipients/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Shark Allies Support Signing of Shark Fin Trade Legislation in Florida&body=Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law the bill that bans the importation of shark fins into Florida and closes loopholes that enabled the illegal shark fin trade.
The Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act, named after the late Rep. Kristin Jacobs, was introduced in late 2019 and approved by the House and Senate in March. Rep. Jacobs co-spearheaded the legislation with support from the <a href="https://www.guyharvey.com/ocean-foundation">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a> (GHOF), <a href="https://www.sharkallies.com/">Shark Allies</a> and Senate bill sponsor Sen. Travis Huston (R-Palm Coast).
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Mako3-e1493736606510.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4695" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Mako3-e1493736606510.png" alt="Mako Your ultimate dive in isla mujeres" width="538" height="400" /></a>
“Prohibiting the importation of shark fins into Florida is a tremendous first step in protecting global shark populations. Until now, Florida’s airports and seaports were the main thoroughfare for illegal fins from the Caribbean and Central America,” said Guy Harvey, chairman of the GHOF. “We appreciate the efforts of Rep. Jacobs and wish she were here with us to see the results of her diligent work. We also thank the governor for his support and will continue to push this legislation nationally.”
This is a monumental victory for shark conservation advocates in North America since Florida is currently the number one hub for the sale, import and transport of ill-gotten shark fins. Researchers from Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) <a href="https://cnso.nova.edu/ghri/index.html">Guy Harvey Research Institute</a> (GHRI) determined that fins from upward of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16972875">73 million</a> sharks end up in the global market annually. The high demand for shark fins in Asia fuels the global shark fin trade, with a large portion of the fins harvested illegally.
”I am grateful that the Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act is now a part of Florida law and moves our state in the right direction of putting an end to the ecologically harmful and morally repugnant practice of illegal shark finning,” said Senator Hutson.
The law finally puts an end to a long list of regulations and loopholes that prevented the proper enforcement of the Florida shark finning ban, which was implemented in 2012. These loopholes allowed Florida ports to become a major hub for the transport of illegal shark fins to China and other Asian countries where the price for shark fins exceeds normal market prices.
“State fin bans have paved the way to make a campaign for a national fin ban a possibility,” says Stefanie Brendl, executive director of Shark Allies. “And the state of Florida has been a key component of a movement towards ending the fin trade in the U.S. While a nationwide ban is the ultimate goal, it is uncertain when that will become a reality, and whether that effort will have to come with exemptions and concessions, as most federal acts do. Having state AND federal legislation in place assures that sharks receive protection sooner, rather than later. There simply is no reason why Florida ports needed to keep allowing fin shipments in hopes that national legislation would eventually fix the problem. Local action matters. It is the pathway to national action.”
About the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation: The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment. The GHOF also funds affiliated researchers working to better understand our ocean ecosystem and educators helping to foster the next era of marine conservationists. The GHOF will help ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a properly balanced ocean ecosystem. <a href="http://www.GHOF.org">www.GHOF.org</a>
About NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute: Established in 1999, NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) is a collaboration between the renowned marine artist, scientist and explorer, Dr. Guy Harvey, and Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences. The mission of NSU’s GHRI is to provide the scientific information necessary to understand, conserve, and effectively manage the world’s marine fishes and their ecosystems. It is one of only a handful of private organizations dedicated exclusively to the science-based conservation of marine fish populations and biodiversity. The research, education and outreach activities of NSU’s GHRI are supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Intradeco, extramural research grants, philanthropic donations by private businesses and individuals and NSU. Please visit <a href="http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ghri/index.html">nova.edu/ocean/ghri/index.html</a> for more information.
About Shark Allies: Shark Allies is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of sharks and rays by focusing on taking action, raising awareness, and guiding initiatives that reduce the destructive overfishing of sharks. The organization has deep roots in shark fin trade legislation, creating the first of its kind in Hawaii in 2010, and many to follow. <a href="http://www.sharkallies.com">www.sharkallies.com</a>
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https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-ocean-foundation-and-shark-allies-support-signing-of-shark-fin-trade-legislation-in-florida/){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}
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