Today is Earth Day, a day of events, discussions, and protests that support environmentally responsible practices and the battle to protect the planet’s environment. Underwater image-makers are enthusiastic supporters of environmental causes, and on this day, it is perhaps apt that we are asking the Wetpixel community to stand up again, and fight for continued protection for Florida’s Goliath groupers.
After a public meeting on 26 April, the Florida Wildlife Commission has postponed the decision on opening a harvest of critically endangered goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara). This mean that although there is no immediate plan to reopen them to fishing, the commissioners did not commit to any form of permanent protection and in fact stated that if studies show that the species number have “increased,” fishing will resume.
The Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) is hosting a public meeting on Thursday 26 April in Fort Lauderdale to discuss a proposal to open the breeding grounds of the critically endangered goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) to fishing. [Walt Stearns]http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllcc-fort-lauderdale-marriott-north/) writes about the issues around this decision and appeals for individuals to “make their voices heard” either at the meeting or by signing the online petition.
The Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) is holding public consultations to discuss the possibility of allowing a “limited open season” for fishing goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara). These include public meetings in a wide variety of venues throughout the state, along with an online workshop and an online survey. If implemented, the proposed kill will exterminate most of Florida’s breeding population of the groupers, destroying 27 years of conservation management effort.