Free Lionfish Workshop Thursday, July 8, 2015 6:30PM Our Friends at Divers Direct are hosting a workshop on hunting Lionfish. Please enlist in the army of divers and diners to help combat this invasive …
Follow the Will of the Voters – Keep the Net Limitation On May 15, the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee heard yet another legal challenge to the Net Limitation placed into the State …
This is Part II of a 3-part report by Capt. Ned Stone, Director of Programs for Guy Harvey Outpost, following his participation in the Green Turtle Club’s 5th Annual Lionfish Derby. Read Part I here. …
This is Part I of a 3-part report by Capt. Ned Stone, Director of Programs for Guy Harvey Outpost, following his participation in the Green Turtle Club’s 5th Annual Lionfish Derby. Filed by Capt. …
If you’re not going to photograph your fish or document it for record purposes, the best method is to not remove the fish from the water. In-water releases can be aided by the use of de-hooking devices …
Modifying the types of hooks you use can significantly affect a fish’s chances for survival after it is released. When fishing with natural bait (dead or alive), IGFA strongly encourages the use of …
I recently had an opportunity to meet with Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of the Virgin Group. Sir Richard was in Grand Cayman to deliver the keynote speech at the recent “Alternative …
Health of Gulf Seafood, Fishery Analysis and Habitat Restoration on Agenda ST. PETE BEACH, FL—AUGUST 20, 2012— Two years after the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil well was finally capped, the largest …
Catch & release still permitted during closure NOTE: This story was posted today on TampabayOnline.com by Special Correspondent Frank Sergeant The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission ruled this …
Up to 79 new species discovered NOTE: This post was excerpted from an article on Nature.com. A genetic study of thousands of specimens of sharks and rays has uncovered scores of potential new species …
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Travel Tips![](mailto:?subject=Free Lionfish Workshop at Divers Direct July 8th, Fort Lauderdale&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/divers-direct-lionfish-101.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-2804 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/divers-direct-lionfish-101.jpg?w=660" alt="Divers Direct Lionfish 101" width="660" height="368" /></a>
Free Lionfish Workshop
Thursday, July 8, 2015 6:30PM
Our Friends at Divers Direct are hosting a workshop on hunting Lionfish. Please enlist in the army of divers and diners to help combat this invasive challenge. If you love the ocean we need your help.
Participants will get an informative briefing on methods of hunting and safe handling while our GearUp Experts share proper gear for safe collecting and handling.
Seating for this popular event is limited, so call 954-925-7630 to RSVP or stop by <a href="http://www.diversdirect.com/stores/dive-shop-fort-lauderdale?utm_source=SeaRadicals&utm_campaign=2d8e6a2bbc-FTL+Lionfish+101+Workshop+7%2F02%2F2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b483c1f0de-2d8e6a2bbc-235860273&mc_cid=2d8e6a2bbc&mc_eid=0584295998">Divers Direct Ft. Lauderdale </a>today!
<a href="http://gearup.diversdirect.com/events/event-detail/lionfish-101-the-invasive-species?utm_source=SeaRadicals&utm_campaign=2d8e6a2bbc-FTL+Lionfish+101+Workshop+7%2F02%2F2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b483c1f0de-2d8e6a2bbc-235860273&mc_cid=2d8e6a2bbc&mc_eid=0584295998">Go here </a>for all the information!
Divers Direct
180 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL 33004
954-925-7630
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![](mailto:?subject=Keep Florida’s Net Ban!&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/fwf2013_logowtaglowres.jpg"><img id="i-2023" class="size-full wp-image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/fwf2013_logowtaglowres.jpg?w=432" alt="Image" /></a>
Follow the Will of the Voters - Keep the Net Limitation
On May 15, the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee heard yet another legal challenge to the Net Limitation placed into the State Constitution in 1994 by 72% of Florida’s voters. Following years of unsuccessful lawsuits, commercial fishermen again seek to overturn the limitation—this time as to the mesh size of the nets they are allowed to use in state waters. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was tasked with writing the rules to implement the constitutional change and that rule has withstood many challenges, and hopefully it will withstand this latest attempt. The Florida Wildlife Federation supports the Attorney General’s Office and the FWC in their efforts to defend the will of the people. The FWC is upholding the law, the constitution, and the conservation of coastal fisheries. The Net Limitation Amendment was originally proposed because Florida’s inshore gamefish and forage fish were rapidly declining due to the commercial fishing gear used in coastal waters. Following the restrictions, and twenty years without the outlawed nets, our coastal waters are now rebuilding an abundance of redfish, sea trout, and other popular game species, as well as smaller forage fish, and that helps the entire ecosystem. It also helps the state’s economy. Florida is advertised as the Fishing Capital of the World and the present net limitation ensures that it stays that way. We hope the court agrees.
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The Florida Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit, conservation organization established in 1936. The Federation works for the sound management of our fish and wildlife resources and responsible outdoor recreation. For more information about the initiatives of the Florida Wildlife Federation, visit <a href="http://www.fwfonline.org/">www.fwfonline.org</a>.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/keep-floridas-net-ban-2/){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=Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium Announced for September 14-15 in St. Pete Beach, FL&body=<a href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/"><img class="aligncenter" title="Gulf of Mexico Symposium" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gulf-of-mexico-symposium.jpg" alt="" width="405" height="515" /></a>
Health of Gulf Seafood, Fishery Analysis and Habitat Restoration on Agenda
ST. PETE BEACH, FL—AUGUST 20, 2012— Two years after the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil well was finally capped, the largest gathering of scientists, fishery experts and government officials are gathering in St. Pete Beach to share the findings of their research, and to offer direction for further study.
The <a title="Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium web site" href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/" target="_blank">Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium</a>, on Sept. 14-15, is the first summit to bring together the various stakeholders in the Gulf's fishery, an annual multi-billion-dollar industry for Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
The oil gusher and the clear environmental damage in 2010 captivated international attention and raised doubts about the safety of eating Gulf of Mexico seafood. It also raised concerns about short- and long-term damage to fish stocks. Research to be presented at the symposium will begin to definitively address these issues.
The symposium will also present the results of research funded by the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>'s 2010 <a title="About the "Save Our Gulf" campaign" href="http://guyharvey.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/727/" target="_blank">"Save Our Gulf" campaign</a>, which raised $500,000 to fund gulf fisheries research related to the oil spill. It will bring together representatives from all sectors of the marine world - recreational and commercial fishermen, non-governmental and governmental agencies, politicians, fishing authorities and marine scientists - to explore vital issues facing the Gulf through presentations and panel discussions. More than 200 are expected to attend and participate.
The recommendations offered by the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium will also involve requesting funding from the $20 billion trust established by BP to respond to claims from individuals, businesses and government entities.
Headliners appearing at the symposium are <a title="About Dr. Bill Hogarth" href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/2012/06/15/dr-bill-hogarth-2/" target="_blank">Dr. Bill Hogarth</a>, director of the <a title="About the FIO" href="http://fio.usf.edu/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Florida Institute of Oceanography</a> and a former Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at <a title="NOAA web site" href="http://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank">NOAA</a>, and <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Dr. Guy Harvey</a>, celebrated artist, fisheries scientist and conservationist. The symposium's line-up includes <a title="About Eric Schwaab" href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/2012/06/15/eric-schwaab/" target="_blank">Eric Schwaab</a>, Acting Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management, <a title="About Gil McRae" href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/2012/06/15/gil-mcrae/" target="_blank">Gil McRae</a>, Director, <a title="About the FWRI" href="http://myfwc.com/research/" target="_blank">Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)</a>, <a title="About Donald Kent" href="http://www.hswri.org/index.php?pr=Donald_B_Kent" target="_blank">Donald Kent</a>, President of the <a title="HSWI web site" href="http://www.hswri.org/" target="_blank">Hubbs-Seaworld Institute</a>, <a title="About Dr. Bob Hueter" href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/2012/06/15/dr-robert-e-hueter/" target="_blank">Dr. Bob Hueter</a> from <a title="MML web site" href="http://www.mote.org/" target="_blank">Mote Marine Laboratory</a>, <a title="About Dr. Mahmood Shivji" href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/2012/06/15/dr-mahmood-shivji-2/" target="_blank">Dr. Mahmood Shivji</a>, Director of the <a title="About the GHRI" href="http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ghri/" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Research Institute</a> at <a title="NSU web site" href="http://www.nova.edu/" target="_blank">Nova Southeastern University</a>.
The ultimate mission of the symposium is to provide a platform where all stakeholder groups can share knowledge and move forward with a unified mission of a sustainable and healthy fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.
For a final agenda and listing of speakers and panelists, please go to <a href="http://www.gulffisheriessymposium.com/">www.gulffisheriessymposium.com</a>.
The symposium will be held at the <a title="About Guy Harvey Outpost on St. Pete Beach" href="http://www.tradewindsresort.com/guy_harvey_outpost.aspx" target="_blank">TradeWinds Islands Resort</a> on St. Pete Beach. The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium is sponsored by NOAA, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the <a title="USF web site" href="http://www.usf.edu/" target="_blank">University of South Florida</a>, the Florida Institute of Oceanography, Mote Marine Laboratory, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and <a title="GHM web site" href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Magazine</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/gulf-of-mexico-fisheries-symposium-announced-for-september-14-15-in-st-pete-beach-fl/){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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