Thu21Jan2010

Foreword 2010

Information
Bob Diaz | SpearBlog 2010 | January 21, 2010
foreword

Well, another year has come and gone. Some changes have been implemented for us spearfishermen this year, not the least of which is the closing of all shallow water grouper from Jan 19, 2010 through April 30, 2010.

If you want to read more about the reasons behind the closing, check out this article. In future years, the closing is scheduled to begin Jan 1 (instead of 19th like this year). The closing includes pretty much every grouper species with the only exceptions being the Snowy, Warsaw and Speckled Hind. In addition to this,

they lowered the aggregate bag limit to 3 with no more than 1 being a gag or black. The limits are a little different if you are fishing exclusively in Gulf waters, so I recommend you review the regs for yourself and get acquainted because there were other changes too.

 

 I guess if I get to go out for some late winter spearfishing this year, I'll have to focus on some of the other dinner fare fish until May 1st. We can only hope that this change will have a demonstrative impact in the grouper populations, because there sure isn't much room left for shrinkage in that aggregate bag limit of 3 (which by the way, also includes the Golden Tilefish for those of you that may be deep droppers as well).  All this while the still completely protected goliath grouper population is booming unchecked and in my opinion impacting the presence of all other groupers anywhere they inhabit. Either way, I look forward to another year of phenomenal diving and spearfishing and wish the same for all my brethren. Here's to a year of calm seas, clean water and bountiful catches!