The Purpose of the Invasive Species Spearfishing & Science Forum

[SpearMax]

I created a new forum to enable more concentrated focus and emphasis on the important subject of invasive exotice species on the future of water-based resources that are the venue for our sport.

The lionfish invasion has been foremost in this thought process, but many other species are important as well. Spearfishers can help in observations and sometimes in direct population control, as well as in assistance with scientific research and data gathering.

A very good resource link for invasive exotic species information is the following:

http://www.invasive.org/

Especially check out their listings of invasive fish and crustaceans here:

http://www.invasive.org/species.cfm

[Louis Rossignol]

Hey Tony, last week I saw several Lionfish on certain oil rigs off our coast. But I just leave them alone. I can't help it, but I feel like the agency has been screwing me so much that I'm not going to lift a finger to help them.

The way I see it, divers are the only way to curb the Lionfish explosion. But there's no reason for me to go out there when red snapper is closed, gag grouper is closed and amberjack is closed.

If we are going to volunteer our time, fuel, money, etc. somebody is going to have to make it worthwhile, such as opening up the seasons I mentioned above, year round and some kind of bounty on the Lionfish I bring back.

[SpearMax]

Originally Posted by Louis Rossignol

Hey Tony, last week I saw several Lionfish on certain oil rigs off our coast. But I just leave them alone. I can't help it, but I feel like the agency has been screwing me so much that I'm not going to lift a finger to help them.

The way I see it, divers are the only way to curb the Lionfish explosion. But there's no reason for me to go out there when red snapper is closed, gag grouper is closed and amberjack is closed.

If we are going to volunteer our time, fuel, money, etc. somebody is going to have to make it worthwhile, such as opening up the seasons I mentioned above, year round and some kind of bounty on the Lionfish I bring back.

I understand how you feel about that Louis. Restrictions on grouper, AJ and Snapper are hard to bear. Likewise, after seeing so many lionfish on the new Jupiter Helldiver Airplane wreck in 185 feet last week and in other deep places I go, I want to throw up my arms in realizing the futility of trying to kill them. But, in certain local areas, efforts like Lionfish Derbys may help that particular area. We can try to be part of the solution and look good in the eyes of regulators and scientists or just ignore it. I know personally that the Florida FWC Commissioners have been more positive towards spearfishers because they see our usefulness in the Lionfish battle. At the meeting I went to in Weston last year, a couple of the commissioners said so to me directly at the break times. Cleaning a few dozen or hundred lionfish off an oil rig and letting the powers that be know about it might be well-received. Tony

[Louis Rossignol]

The Gulf Council has been playing hardball with us for the last 25+ years. Shutting down our fisheries and limiting our catch all in the advancement of Enironmental Defense. All the while doing so with this smug attitude like their shit doesn't stink.

As for the divers I reach out to on a regular basis, I don't care about looking good. If they want our/my help, demands are going to have to met.

You have shown the FWC how effective divers can be in Lionfish removal, now let's use it to our advantage.