Guy Harvey Magazine Editor-in-Chief Fred Garth and his prized redfish

Last Sunday I was standing up in my kayak sight fishing for reds and poling with my paddle when I saw a school of about 50 fish in a foot of very clear water 30 feet from the boat.

Reds are easily spooked by any movement or boat shadows, so even though the sky was gray and I had the clothes to match, I crouched down and quickly shot the fly a few feet ahead of the school and bounced it slowly along the sandy bottom (Reds are a bit lethargic in January when the water temps fall into the 60s, so stripping a fly quickly usually doesn’t work for me).

Suddenly, a fish tugged softly on the lure and I set the hook. He ran a hundred feet or so as I tightened the drag, sat down and prepared for battle. Ten minutes later I had him next to the kayak so I could remove the hook. I tied a stringer through his gill and paddled around until he was strong enough to be released. After that, I was fully prepared to cheer Tom Brady and Eli Manning to victory!

The rod I used was an 8-wt. The lure is an original called a “Rocket”, tied by a friend of mine, Dr. Greg Speer. The location is somewhere in Northwest Florida near my house. That’s all the info I’m giving out on that subject.

THE BAHAMAS—JANUARY 24, 2012— Dive legend and businessman Neal Watson has been re-elected for another two-year term as President of the Bahamas Diving Association.

Stuart Cove, owner of Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas in Nassau and Stuart Cove’s Tiger Beach Safaris on Grand Bahama Island, was re-elected vice president.

Watson and celebrated marine artist, scientist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey joined forces last year to open Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini at the Bimini Big Game Club in Alice Town.

Watson has been a pioneer in the dive resort business starting his first dive operation in Freeport, Bahamas in 1965. He has been involved in owning and operating hotels, establishing a chain of dive operations, working in the treasure salvage business, stunt coordinator for the movie and TV industry, owned and operated an airline charter company and established a chain of Neal Watson’s Undersea Adventure franchise dive operations in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

In 1985 Watson moved to Fort Lauderdale from Bimini and established Neal Watson’s Undersea Adventures as a Florida Corporation.  Shortly thereafter he started USA Travel Network, Inc., which is an ARC accredited tour company specializing in diving and adventure sports travel.

Watson currently serves on the Board of Directors of DEMA (Dive Equipment & Marketing Association), which is the World Trade Association for the diving industry; and is Chair of the Bahamas Dive Marketing Committee, which is responsible for recommending budget expenditures for the Bahamas Ministry Tourism for the Bahamas Government Dive Market Promotions.

Personal achievements include breaking the World’s Scuba Depth Record, diving 437 feet on compressed air as well as breaking the World’s Underwater Distance Record by swimming 66 miles underwater, non-stop without surfacing.

From the Post & Courier (Charleston, SC) – Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012

The recent reporting of the recovery of a tagged yellowfin tuna comes as a surprise to fisheries biologists.

The tag, sent from the National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries in Shizuoka, Japan, was just received by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources‘ (DNR) Marine Resources Division.

The tagged fish measured about 68 inches, weighed approximately 189 pounds, and was captured on May 26, 2010 off the west coast of Africa off Mauritania.

The fish was initially tagged by a volunteer angler participating in the Marine Division’s game fish tagging program on April 20, 2001, just south of Cat Island in the Bahamas. At the time of tagging, the juvenile yellowfin was just shy of 15 pounds.

This is the first recapture of a yellowfin tuna in the history of the program, which began in 1974.

“What makes this recovery exciting,” said Robert Wiggers, a DNR fisheries biologist who administers the tagging program, “is that 151 yellowfin have been tagged and released by volunteers, but none have been recovered until now.

This fish was at large for nine years, packed on about 174 pounds and was recaptured close to 4,000 miles from where it was initially tagged.”

As evident from this tag recovery, Atlantic yellowfin tuna are a highly migratory species and thus are a target species for both domestic and international fisheries. This fact should be of interest to recreational anglers when considering the impacts on the overall population of such fisheries.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced it will no longer serve shark fin soup at any of its 72 properties worldwide.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts,  Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, today announced its ‘Sustainable Seafood Policy’ including the commitment to cease serving shark fin in all of its operated restaurants as well as accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting with immediate effect. At the same time, Shangri-La announced that it will phase out Bluefin tuna and Chilean sea bass in all its operated restaurants within the year. In December 2010 the company initiated the process with the removal of shark fin products from its restaurant menus.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, Shangri-La has been working on a number of projects related to sustainability for several years, including the sustainable seafood campaign and the development of marine sanctuaries to ensure reef protection and stability of the underwater and marine life.

The effects of this new policy will be far reaching, as Shangri-La operates 72 hotels and resorts throughout Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East, and Europe, representing a rooms inventory of over 30,000.  In addition, new hotels are under development in Canada, mainland China, India, Philippines, Qatar, Turkey and United Kingdom.

Roll Tide! Guy has released a new shirt design to commemorate the University of Alabama’s latest football national championship! The shirts are on sale now at select retailers and will be available for online ordering from Guy Harvey Sportswear on January 16th!

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—JANUARY 9, 2012— Internationally known wildlife artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, who took audiences across the planet in the award-winning Portraits from the Deep documentary series, is launching several new film projects in 2012, starting with Panama Paradise: Edge of Conservation due for release this spring.

“A critical part of the mission of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is education and film is a superb way to deliver the messages of science and conservation,” said Dr. Harvey. “Only through understanding the issues can we hope to save our seas for future generations.”

In Panama Paradise: Edge of Conservation, Dr. Harvey and two-time Emmy Award winning producer George C. Schellenger takes the audience on an expedition where the jungle meets the sea in an explosion of life, an unforgettable vision of Panama and its surrounding waters.  The film will show how scientists are working against the clock to protect a land and sea paradise that attracts visitors from around the world.

“The film will feature massive storms, majestic marlins and even protective dolphins—all part of an adventure that takes place above and below the water,” said Dr. Harvey, whose latest documentary “The Mystery of the Grouper Moon” played a pivotal role in protecting one of the last know spawning areas of the Nassau grouper. An updated version of the documentary is in production.  Also, a film revealing scientific breakthroughs in the study of migration patterns of satellite-tagged Tiger Sharks is underway for a 2012 release.

Dr. Harvey and Schellenger have collaborated on several projects recently, including “This is Your Ocean: Sharks”, a 44-minute documentary depicting sharks in their natural environment. This film captures the adventure and passion of shark diving and evokes a call for conservation and protection for the species that today is threatened by over fishing for a growing demand for shark fin soup.

Trailer for “Panama Paradise: Edge of Conservation”:

BIMINI, ALICE TOWN—JANUARY 6, 2012— At the gateway to the Bahamas—an archipelago of 700 islands sweeping across 500 miles of open ocean—Bimini has been a media darling in 2011, as dozens of journalists from around the world have re-discovered this tiny island in the stream.

At the forefront of the news surrounding Bimini in 2011, was the successful re-opening of the historic Bimini Big Game Club, a legendary 51-room fishing resort, fully renovated and repositioned as a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina.  Dr. Harvey, known internationally for his marine wildlife art and conservation initiatives, and his Outpost Resorts partners, drove home the message that not only was one of the most legendary offshore angling outposts of all time back in operation, it was also re-inventing itself in a tourism market, where eco-systems and bio-diversity are considerations when promoting traditional pursuits such as fishing, diving and boating.

“In addition to dozens of traditional sport fishing and diving media, the Big Game Club’s return and Bimini’s ever-intriguing storylines drew travel journalists from Switzerland, Spain, Canada and the Netherlands and several US based television news and cable TV operations—we even had the Food Channel here doing a piece on Lionfish, which we catch, prepare and serve in our dining room,” said Michael Weber, General Manager of the Big Game Club. “We also successfully returned to tournament fishing with the launch of the First Annual Billfish Invitational last May as well as hosting events with Hatteras and Bertram Yachts, which celebrated their 50^th anniversary here.”

As the result of the local publicity and Bahamas Tourism Board promotions, according to Weber, guest visits are improving and a new wave of tourism interest in Bimini is beginning to build.  Bahamas out-island tourism, according to reports through October 2011, showed visitor numbers were up 13% year-to-date.

The Big Game Club is continuing to build its own tourism focused base in 2012, promoting its traditional water sports activities along with a new push for meetings, weddings and group related programs.

Weber said the recent completion of the Gulfstream Conference Center and Hemingway’s Rum Bar & Social Lounge will be heavily promoted as a convenient out-island venue for corporate, scientific and social group events.

Inspired by the renewed public interest, airlift into Bimini continues to improve into 2012.

Bimini has scheduled air access by several carriers including:

* Silver Airways Corp, a new regional carrier launched with assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, (the code sharing partner of Continental/United) has acquired a new aircraft (34-seat Saab 340), which should be in service by February/March 2012.  At present Silver has increased their frequency to two flights daily from Fort Lauderdale.

* IBC Airways currently operates with Saab 30 passenger aircraft out of Fort Lauderdale International Airport with four times a week service.

* Western Air services Bimini via Nassau with two flights daily.

* For North Florida residents AirGate Aviation has announced regular scheduled service to Bimini.

* Tropic Ocean Airways is the newest member to the Big Game Club offering seaplane service to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale on a charter basis and as a scheduled carrier in March.

For scheduling flights, Weber said its recommended to use the Outpost Travel Concierge Service through the Big Game Club’s reservation office: 1-800-867-4764.

Another potential public transportation service is The Bahamas Express, a high-speed ferry service currently linking Fort Lauderdale and Freeport in the Bahamas. Future plans call for more regular service ports, including Bimini (tentatively March 2012).

Attracting the bulk of travelers to Bimini, according to Weber, will be the traditional blue water angling, backcountry fly fishing and diving pursuits offered at the Bimini Big Game Club and other properties.

“New for 2012, we hope to add water sports activities such as kayaking and kayak nature tours, kite-boarding and instruction and paddle boards,” Weber added.

As for the more traditional pursuits:

Located on the main navigation channel in Bimini Bay, The Big Game Club provides a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 feet in length. Boaters crossing the stream to Bimini and The Big Game are asked to call the US Marina Reservations Office to arrange for slip accommodations and confirm other special requirements.

Offshore charters are currently available through noted Carolina sportfishing captain Skipper Gentry and his 46’ Post powered with 625 hp diesels.

The Big Game Club is also represented on Bimini’s record setting backcountry flats with fly fishing guru Vaughn Cochran at the helm of Bonefish Bimini. Neal Watson, known fondly as the “Dive God” for his superhuman record breaking scuba records, has launched Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini, a Guy Harvey Outpost Dive Center featuring M/V Bimini Blue, the largest recreational dive boat in the Bahamas.

“Bimini has no shortage of great dive sites: Reefs, Wrecks, Walls, Drift Dives, our famous Atlantis Road and a truly amazing Wild Dolphin Encounter – you name it,” said Watson.  “And did I mention, Shark Encounters”, he asks with a grin.

As for future dive sites, an effort currently is underway to sink the tugboat “Manatee” south of Turtle Rocks to make a good dive site in prevailing northeasterly winds. The “Manatee” is currently docked in South Bimini.

A former building contractor in Palm Beach County turns his passion for fishing into a program that teaches children fishing and boating skills — plus a lot more.

Story courtesy of Miami Herald (12/31/11 edition)

By SUSAN COCKING

A back injury suffered by former Palm Beach County building contractor Richard Brochu five years ago is indirectly responsible for more than 3,000 kids and teens learning how to fish.

Out of work and bored, Brochu — an avid angler — asked his young daughter, a student at Poinciana Elementary School in Boynton Beach, if there were a program where kids could learn how to become responsible anglers.

“She was like, ‘No, would you like to start one?’ ” Brochu said.

Poinciana became the launch pad for the Florida Fishing Academy — a non-profit, after-school program that teaches life skills and ethical angling to at-risk youth ages 8 through early 20s.

“We want to raise the next generation of ethical anglers and captains,” Brochu said. “I want people to realize that there’s more to it than catching fish and throwing them on the dock.”

Brochu, a licensed charter captain, and colleague Bob Cawood have created an after-school and weekend program targeted to every grade level. Classroom sessions cover basic fish biology, boating safety, tying knots, and casting practice. Intertwined in the angling instruction programs are life lessons with anti-drug, alcohol and tobacco themes.

Older students with potential interest in a seafaring career learn about charter and commercial fishing businesses, fisheries laws, and advanced skills, such as rod building. The graduates of that program are encouraged to become mentors to youngsters entering the academy.

Students get to put their classroom knowledge to work on board Brochu’s 38-foot custom-built catamaran powerboat.

Money to keep the academy going comes from private donations, charter fishing and snorkeling trips, cruises, and grants from community organizations such as the United Way. Brochu recently won a three-year, $30,000 contract from the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency to teach boating safety, swimming, fishing, snorkeling and rowing to kids in 3rd through 11th grades. Marine artist/fisheries scientist Guy Harvey donated $10,000 through his Ocean Foundation to purchase equipment for the program, which begins this month.

“The Florida Fishing Academy is one of the finest community outreach programs in the state, and one of our foundation’s favorite educational initiatives,” foundation president Steve Stock said.

On a recent rainy Friday morning, Brochu and Cawood escorted five students — ranging in age from 15 to 21 — and two teachers from Riviera Beach’s Seagull Academy for Independent Living on a half-day fishing excursion on the Intracoastal Waterway in Boynton Beach.

Blustery winds precluded venturing into the ocean, so the group trolled and bottom-fished in the calmer inshore waters. After catching a blue runner and a small sand perch and going fishless for quite awhile, Brochu decided to head back to the dock to see if their luck might improve.

It did. Fishing on the bottom of the boat basin with cut bait, the students caught and released a mangrove snapper, a couple of jacks and a blue runner. Brochu promised to take them out again when the weather improves.

Said student Shenae Singh, 18: “That was fun!”

This hybrid black tip shark contains both Common and Australian black tip DNA. Photo: University of Queensland.

The hybrid may be a sign the predators are adapting to climate change

Scientists said on Tuesday that they had discovered the world’s first hybrid sharks in Australian waters, a potential sign the predators were adapting to cope with climate change.

The mating of the local Australian black-tip shark with its global counterpart, the common black-tip, was an unprecedented discovery with implications for the entire shark world, said lead researcher Jess Morgan.

“It’s very surprising because no one’s ever seen shark hybrids before, this is not a common occurrence by any stretch of the imagination,” Morgan, from the University of Queensland, said.

“This is evolution in action.”

Colin Simpfendorfer, a partner in Morgan’s research from James Cook University, said initial studies suggested the hybrid species was relatively robust, with a number of generations discovered across 57 specimens.

The find was made during cataloging work off Australia’s east coast when Morgan said genetic testing showed certain sharks to be one species when physically they looked to be another.

Dr. Guy Harvey Applauds Decision But Says More Needs to Be Done

GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN—DECEMBER 16, 2011— A groundswell of public support generated by Guy Harvey’s latest film The Mystery of the Grouper Moon has prompted the Marine Conservation Board of the Cayman Islands to extend a ban on fishing the Nassau grouper spawning aggregation site near Little Cayman.

The Board, this week, voted to extend the current moratorium another eight years after reviewing extensive research conducted by REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) and Oregon State University and a public education campaign supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment  (DOE). The existing ban, in place since 2003, was due to expire at the end of the year. The penalty for catching Nassau grouper in a spawning aggregation site between November and March is up to one year in prison or up to $500,000 in fines.

“The Cayman Islands are celebrating the 25 anniversary since the formation of the first marine park here, so it is fitting that such a strong conservation effort has been made by the MCB and that common sense has prevailed,” said Dr. Harvey.

In filming the research work being conducted by REEF, Guy Harvey and award-winning filmmaker George Schellenger created a compelling and informative 45-minute documentary—The Mystery of the Grouper Moon (click here for a preview).  The film’s purpose was to document the research and make the results available in layman’s language to the residents of the Cayman Islands. The documentary was shot entirely in the Cayman Islands and was supported by REEF and the DOE. The GHOF also supported the education campaign with custom artwork.

More work needs to be done, according to Dr. Harvey, who makes his home in the Cayman Islands.

“We are all very glad that the Marine Conservation Board has acted positively on the research conducted by REEF and the DOE, as the science clearly shows the recovery of Nassau groupers has not been as successful as expected,” said Dr. Harvey. “This is because fishing for this species still continues during the spawning season, but outside of the protected spawning aggregation sites.”

The Nassau grouper population, according to Dr. Harvey, has maintained equilibrium and has not grown appreciably.  Harvey says the next step is for the Ministry of the Environment to legislate protection of Nassau grouper throughout its range during spawning season, between November 1 and March 31.

“This would be similar to the protection enjoyed by conch and lobster populations which remain healthy in the Cayman Islands, but are fished for only during short seasons each year,” he said. “Also the minimum catch size of the Nassau grouper needs to be extended from 12 inches to 24 inches.  It is good fishery management to let fish reproduce before they are harvested.  A 12 inch fish is immature.”

An added advantage to keeping groupers at a healthy population is that they can serve as a natural culling force on the invasive, non-native lionfish, which are annihilating several species of juvenile reef fish throughout the Caribbean.

“Local fishermen need to realize that these conservation measures will benefit all user groups in the years to come,” Dr. Harvey concluded.  “Once the Nassau grouper population recovers it can then be managed and fished within the restrictions of new catch limits, but the spawning brood stock must be protected forever.”