Archive for July, 2009

Biologists Observe Spawning Mutton Snapper in Florida Keys

Biologists recently witnessed an extraordinary sight while conducting an underwater study of mutton snapper in the Florida Keys.

For the first time in Florida waters, scientists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of South Florida observed this species spawning in a Marine Protected Area in the Florida Keys. The site was established, in part, to protect spawning schools of snapper and grouper in the Tortugas Ecological Reserve.

Mutton snapper is an important species to both recreational and commercial fisheries. When fish group together in large numbers to spawn, they are more vulnerable to fishing pressure. Allowing the fish to spawn without angler pressure will help sustain the fishery. The data collected from this study will help biologists understand the effectiveness of creating no-take Marine Protected Areas to protect a variety of sea life, including fish and coral reefs.

Biologists spotted the large school of spawning snapper while working on an acoustic tagging project. The purpose of this research is to obtain information regarding the movement, spawning and migratory habits of snappers and groupers. They conducted surgeries underwater at depths of up to 120 feet to implant acoustic tags inside the fish. Conducting the tagging at this ground-breaking depth causes less stress to the fish than bringing them to the surface by conventional hook-and-line methods to complete the surgeries.

Biologists will continue to receive data from the tagged fish for the next few years. This information will help them learn more about the movement, spawning and migratory habits of these fish.

For more information on FWRI’s marine fisheries research, visit http://research.MyFWC.com.

via Biologists see spawning fish in Marine Protected Area | Chipley Bugle.

Job Listing – Undersea Research Diver in Key Largo

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Key West’s Sunset Celebration America’s Best Unheralded Free Attraction

Key West’s nightly Sunset Celebration has been named America’s best unheralded free attraction, and Bahia Honda State Park near Big Pine Key has been ranked number two in a list of best United States beaches by TripAdvisor.

Both accolades were determined by the TripAdvisor Popularity Index and TripAdvisor editors.

TripAdvisor-branded Web sites provide online travel reviews and feature more than 25 million monthly visitors and 10 million registered members.

For more than 30 years, Key West’s Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square has drawn large nightly crowds to applaud talents of colorful street performers, view local artisans’ handmade wares and watch the sun sink beneath the horizon beyond Key West Harbor. A tightrope walker, jugglers, mimes, quirky animal acts, fortune tellers, musicians and foodstuffs including “Pretty Good Popcorn” are among attractions as well as unobstructed views of the setting sun.

In its announcement of the designation, TripAdvisor lauded the nightly event as “a celebration of dazzling Key West sunsets” and quoted a TripAdvisor traveler who said, “You can’t imagine the beauty of this, it is just awesome.”

via NewmanPR » KEYS’ SUNSET CELEBRATION, BEACH LAUDED BY TRIPADVISOR.

9 Inch Lionfish Captured on Key Largo Elbow Reef

Any doubt about the prevalence of lionfish in Florida Keys waters ended July 5. The largest lionfish yet captured in the Keys — 9 inches total length — was netted at The Elbow Reef off Key Largo. It was the eighth exotic lionfish taken in Keys waters since the first capture in January, an average of better than one a month.

“This was the largest Keys fish so far, and certainly reproductively capable,” said Lad Akins, special projects director at the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. “We’re getting lionfish sightings with more frequency,” said Karrie Carnes, information officer for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

A response team formed by the sanctuary and REEF headed to The Elbow after the big lionfish was spotted around 11 a.m. July 5 by Quiescence Diving Services instructor Chelyn Shaw. Quiescence staff volunteered a boat and crew.

“At 3:30 p.m. the fish was located in exactly the same location as reported,” Akins said. “The fish was first noted resting upside down under a ledge, but during the removal dive it was found hovering over the sand bottom under the ledge, hunting.” It took divers just eight minutes to find and net the fish, the most efficient capture yet, Carnes said. Read more…

Tarpon on Fly in Islamorada’s IGFA Inshore World Championship

With ESPN2 camera crews stalking competitors in the Florida Keys Outfitters IGFA Inshore World Championship this week, ESPNOutdoors.com is able to offer viewers with an exclusive video segment of a successful tarpon catch.

During the first day of competition, Houston’s Carlos Duncan hooked up with a good-sized tarpon, worth 200 points towards his tournament total. Duncan and guide, John Donnell, found a spot filled with roughly 15 tarpon and what ensued was a typical fight, lasting a couple of minutes, and covering a healthy stretch of water.

Interesting was the duo’s persistence in landing this particular tarpon. While the area was clearly a hot spot for the species, Duncan had a hard time getting any to fall for his fly. After working the area for about two hours, he was finally successful. A definite lesson in persistence for fledgling anglers.

The clip also provides insight into the teamwork — between guide and angler — necessary to succeed at a tournament like this. While the anglers are typically the ones that garner the praise, guides play an integral part in finding fish, boat control and effective communication.

Duncan, who was highlighted in earlier article, landed one snook and one redfish Wednesday, completing a three-fish SLAM. In the fly division, that is good enough to be in contention and if Duncan can put some points on the board and satisfy another species category Thursday, he has a reasonable shot at victory.

Florida Keys Underwater Music Festival turns 25

By ROB BUSWEILER Free Press Staff

The silver anniversary of the Underwater Music Festival will be a decidedly yellow affair.

This will be the 25th time the Underwater Music Festival heads out to the waters of the Looe Key Reef. Each year has brought a different theme, and in honor of the 40th anniversary of an iconic Beetles album, the Underwater Music Festival will be paying tribute to the music of the Yellow Submarine. The event is held each year in an effort to raise awareness for the local coral reefs. Read more…

Roadwork Continues on The Stretch Northbound Lanes – Weeknights

Northbound U.S. 1 lane shifts

Due to resurfacing and other roadwork, the north lane of U.S. 1 on the 18 Mile Stretch from Mile Marker 109 to 113 will be shifted onto the 10-foot wide evacuation lane from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday

The work is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Jewfish Creek Bridge construction project from Lake Surprise Boulevard, Mile Marker 106 in Key Largo, north to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line, Mile Marker 113. The schedule is tentative and may change due to bad weather or other factors.

Motorists are encouraged to call 511 or visit www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.

SOS – Save Our Sharks – Video with Olympian Amanda Beard

Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems but their stocks are in serious trouble. More than one hundred million sharks are killed by fisheries every year. They are intentionally harvested for their fins, meat or liver oil, and they are incidentally caught as bycatch in fisheries targeting other species.

Sharks are highly migratory and regularly cross national boundaries. However, outside of Antarctica, there are no international limits on shark harvest. With increasing demand for shark fin soup, and little protection, sharks worldwide are at great risk.

Oceana is working in U.S. waters to protect and restore shark populations. Through our policy, science, legal and communications work, Oceana is pushing for true finning bans, species specific shark management and reduced shark bycatch, as well as decreasing the demand for shark products such as shark fin soup and cosmetic products containing squalene. The loss of sharks, many of which are top predators, will have devastating and unpredictable consequences for ocean ecosystems. Immediate action is needed to protect sharks.

Oceana is also working in other parts of the world to protect sharks. Check out what Oceana is doing in Europe and South America. Please visit http://oceana.org/scaredforsharks.

Bud n’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada – Video

http://www.budnmarys.com/

The Stretch North Bound Traffic Lanes Reopen

The northbound lane of the 18-Mile Stretch connecting Key Largo to the mainland is now open, after being closed around the clock since June 18 for repairs.

After the northbound U.S. 1 closure caused a massive traffic jam for weekend visitors heading home June 21, the state Department of Transportation had mandated the road be opened from 10 a.m. to midnight this past Sunday. But it opened earlier, and is now fully open. “They were way ahead of schedule Sunday morning. This is great news,” says Abby Kelley, a spokeswoman for the project’s construction firm. She says some “loose odds and ends” work still needs to be done, but the lanes should stay open.

While the Stretch was closed northbound, traffic was detoured to Card Sound Road, the only other road leading into and out of the Keys. Tolls on Card Sound were suspended but are now being charged. “There is a bit more work for the contractor to do to smooth out some bumps so the [Stretch] meets our specifications,” said Charles Phinizy, a DOT project manager based in the Keys. “That work is to be accomplished late at night and any traffic can be routed on the shoulder around workers and equipment.

The northbound lanes closed June 18 so Granite Construction can repair an underground road divider that failed along the reconstructed U.S. 1.