The Blue Heron bridge is located on the eastern most section of the continental United States, where the warm water of the Gulf Stream current comes in closer than any other place on the east coast. This current brings in larval animals and juveniles of tropical marine species, depositing them directly under the Blue Heron bridge. These tropical species intermingle with the temperate species normally found in this area, creating one of the most diverse marine habitats anywhere in the United States. Some of the unusual species found at the bridge are seahorses, stargazers, flying gurnards, striated frogfish, searobins, Atlantic longarm (mimic) octopi, and much more.
If you want to help save the Blue Heron bridge from the irreparable damage caused by collectors, please sign the petition, which was originally drafted by a local attorney and distributed by Pura Vida Divers and other members of the Palm Beach Diving Association (Wetpixel has modified the wording for online use). If you would rather sign the petition in person, it can be found at Pura Vida Divers, Narcosis Dive Charters, Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures.
Pardon my ignorance, but what are the local laws like regarding collection of specimens for sale to aquarium shops? When I lived in Hawaii, one had to get a permit. It is possible that some of the people are collecting illegally anyway and could be reported just based on the fact they are “fishing without a license?” This might be a short-term strategy to apply while the politicians debate the issue . . .
There’s a discussion about this petition on a spearo thread: http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?p=668183