Guy Harvey Magazine — Fall 2017

THE

ED U CATI ON IS S U E

A R ESO UR CE G UI D E

F O R T EAC HERS , PARE NT S & ST U DE NT S

The Art of Ocean Conservation VOLUME 8, ISSUE 29 FALL 2017 $6.95

Vanishing

Vaquita

• Earth’s most endangered • marine mammal

Careers at Sea Make your living on the water

Anatomy of a Rescue Saving animals from certain death

COMPLETE ANGLER: Panama Roosterfish Study; Why We Need Regulations | Cool Green Gear

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Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster awaits the bravest thrill-seekers.

©2017 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

FALL 2017

RISING TIDE

24

VANISHING VAQUITA

36

36

RISING TIDE

Swim bladders of the totoaba, a fish found primarily in the Gulf

Ninety-five percent of saltwater aquarium fish are gathered from

of California, are more valuable than cocaine in China—a kilo of

the wild, depleting reef fish and altering nature’s delicate balance.

the dried bladders sells for $8,500. Sadly, this has led to the near

However, a new program has achieved what no others have—

extinction of the vaquita, a small porpoise that gets caught in the

successfully raising reef fish in captivity.

totoaba fishing nets.

BY JJ WATERS

BY GREG JACOSKI

30

CAREER SPOTLIGHT

40

ANATOMY OF A RESCUE

So you want to be a marine biologist? Well, that’s not the only career

The first step in saving a stranded and injured animal starts with regular

path to a life in the marine industry. There’s a mind-spinning array of

anglers and boaters like you and me who contact the local authorities.

jobs that will keep you wet and salty while you earn a living.

Then an amazing network of rescue workers—from truck drivers to

BY JJ WATERS

veterinarians—goes into high gear to save the animal.

BY DANNY THORNTON

4 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

PHOTO PORTFOLIO

46

DEPARTMENTS

12

14

GUY TALK

The Science of Sustainability

78

MEET THE CHEF

Sustainable Cuisine

Dr. Guy Harvey has painted the sides of buildings, the walls in

As SeaWorld’s head chef, Hector Colon puts his culinary touch

the Grand Cayman airport and even a 1,200-foot-long cruise

on everything from theme park food (can you say, “turkey leg?")

ship. Now, he’s added a wild roller coaster ride to his list.

to sustainable seafood at the park’s five-star restaurant.

BY GUY HARVEY, PhD

BY GHM STAFF

THE BITE

LAST CAST

80

News, Notes & Gear

Hooked on Roller Coasters

Donald Trump is not the only one making news in

GHM’s editor-in-chief faces his greatest fears in the

Washington, D.C. Recreational fishing groups are

name of marine conservation on the wild Mako roller

fighting for a new identity, too.

coaster ride.

BY FRED GARTH

46

PHOTO PORTFOLIO

Matt Marriott Photographer Matt Marriot takes us on an amazing journey above and below the water.

BY GHM STAFF

76

ART

Exclusive Guy Harvey Artwork Buy a limited edition Guy Harvey gicleé and he’ll sign it for you!

On the Cover: Vaquita

by Guy Harvey www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 5

CONTENTS

FALL 2017

THE PANAMA ROOSTERFISH

58

DOCK BUZZ

The Whys of Regulations

64

64

FEATURE

The Panama Roosterfish

What came first, voluntary catch and release or strict

Guy’s daughter, Jessica Harvey, spearheads an expedition

regulations that forced us to catch and release? Our

to Panama to catch and tag roosterfish in a first-ever study

man Nick Honachefsky explores the ups and downs

of the coveted species.

of fishing regs.

BY JESSICA HARVEY

BY NICK HONACHEFSKY

60

FEATURE

Lionfish Trap

71

GEAR

Green Gear

NOAA scientist Steve Gittings lends his expertise to a

The GHM staff reviews products that protect your body,

Panama City, Florida, high school science class on the

your boat, and keep them clean and green.

finer points of building a better lionfish trap.

BY GHM STAFF

BY KIRSTEN MESSER

CompleteAngler Angler(CA) (CA) our “magazine within the magazine,” Complete is is our “magazine within the magazine,” dedicated

dedicated to fishing hard-core fishing enthusiasts & delivering to experts, to hard-core enthusiasts and delivering access toaccess experts, the the latest in fishing gear, and the hottest fishing spots on the planet. latest in fishing gear and the hottest fishing spots on the planet.

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OWN THE ADVENTURE. LIVE THE EXPERIENCE. Introducing the Guy Harvey Outpost Club & Resort, Tarpon Springs, on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

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RV LOTS & RESORT COTTAGES FROM THE $150’S. LIMITED AVAILABILITY. REGISTER TO LEARN MORE TODAY. Visit us: OutpostClubTarponSprings.com | Call: (877) 561-8005 ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. The sketches, renderings, graphic materials, plans, specifications, terms, conditions and statements contained herein are proposed only, and the Developer reserves the right to modify, revise or withdraw any or all of same in its sole discretion and without prior notice. All improvements, designs and construction are subject to first obtaining the appropriate federal, state and local permits and approvals for same. The information provided, including pricing, is solely for informational purposes, and is subject to change without notice. This is not an offer to sell, or solicitation of offers to buy, the condominium units in jurisdictions where such offer or solicitation cannot be made or are otherwise prohibited by law. This offering is made only by the offering documents for the condominium and no statement should be relied upon if not made in the offering documents. www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 7

GUY HARVEY MAGAZINE OFFICES: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA Fred Garth, Editor-in-Chief NEW YORK, NEW YORK Merrill Squires, Partner SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA Scott Smith, Partner

TEACHERS ROCK! To show our deep appreciation for the educators of the world, we’re offering all teachers half off your subscription.

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CREDITS TO: PUBLISHER Lost Key Publishing Managing Editor Danny Thornton Art Director Nathan Dillaha Circulation Director Penny Jones Director of Sales & Marketing JJ Waters Editor, Complete Angler Nick Honachefsky Social Media Consultant David Wilkinson Accounting Karen Belser Copy Editor Kerrie Allen Contributing Editors Dr. Guy Harvey, Danny Thornton Contributors JJ Waters, Matt Marriott, Jessica Harvey, Greg Jacoski, Kirsten Messer, Kylie Tharp, Handel Sim, Tricia Petty, Carlos Orozco, David Camperman, Katie Landeck, Carlos Goycochea, Jack Crevalle, Alex DeCaro, Kevin Curry, Garl Harrold Editorial Advisory Board Dr. Guy Harvey, Chad Henderson, Bill Shedd, Dr. Mahmood Shivji, Harvey Taulien, John Guidroz, David Wilkinson

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CONTRIBUTOR’S PROFILE MATT MARRIOTT

Made in USA

Compact & Durable

Matt Marriott is a photographer based in Tampa, Florida, with close to two decades of professional experience in travel, food, sports, wildlife, aerial and underwater photography. As an image-maker and

Walk where no other topwater has walked before!

veteran of the U.S. Navy, he has had the fortune to have lived and worked around the globe, predominantly in the Middle East and Latin America. Between his work as a photographer and Naval aviator, he has traveled to six continents and sailed

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Photo: Edward Linsmier

most of the world’s oceans.

“My experiences have profoundly shaped my world view and my passions, which are ocean conservation, diving, archaeology and off-the-grid travel. My camera is a key that has unlocked many doors that would otherwise be closed to me. I have

10 realistic colors with several more on the way.

been invited to witness some pretty amazing things and to document the work

w w w. d o a l u r e s . c o m

of countless dedicated professionals. I’m happy to share their’s and my life’s work with you and the world.” –MM

www.mattmarriott.com

Above: Matt Marriott in the field photographing a hammerhead shark.

Photo: Jim Abernethy.

10 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 11

GUY TALK

THE SCIENCE OF SUSTAINABILITY It’s intriguing how vastly different fishing is today than when I was a boy

they’ve already gone extinct. Others believe there may be about 30 vaquitas still

growing up in Jamaica and exploring the sea with my parents. Back then, we were

in existence. Sadly, they have been victims of fishing nets harvesting the prized

focused on the hunt, the adventure and the catch. Oh, and the grill. We didn’t

totoaba fish in Mexico. It’s a terrible yet vital story that we’re proud to feature.

think about stock assessments or over-fishing or sustainability. Those concepts were foreign to us in the 1960s.

All of the time I spent casting, trolling, swimming and boating built a

On the flip side, I’ve just returned from Isle Mujeras for our seventh shortfin mako tagging expedition. Before that, I was in Panama where we kicked off the first ever tagging programme of roosterfish. The mako expeditions have

foundation for me pursue my doctorate in marine biology. By the time I became

been highly successful and we can track them (go to: http://cnso.nova.edu/

a college professor, attitudes about conservation were evolving. I learned that we

sharktracking/) in real time to study their behaviour and, therefore, compile

needed strong data and research to achieve a balance between use and abuse of

the research needed to protect them. In Panama, we were able to catch 102

the resource. Without good science, we’re just shooting in the dark.

and tag 80 roosterfish. So, it’s not all just hard-nosed science. We did have fun

In this issue, our 4th annual Education Issue, we look at both sides of the

catching fish! My daughter, Jessica, who is now a project manager for the Ocean

equation. There are those who are involved in impressive research and are

Foundation here in Grand Cayman, was there with me to help lead the tagging

fighting to preserve and protect. And, unfortunately, others are destroying

expedition. Our research is still in the early stages so it will take time to assess our

species in a reckless chase for money. On the cover, we’ve featured the vaquita,

progress. But, you can read about the project in this issue, which marks the first

the world’s most endangered marine mammal. Greg Jacoski, executive director

article Jessica has published in Guy Harvey Magazine. Maybe I’m just a proud dad

of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, has written a compelling piece about why

but I think she did a fine job!

this small porpoise has almost vanished from the oceans. Some scientists think

12 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

We’ve also included an inspirational story about David Camperman,

a teacher in Panama City, Florida, who has literally jumped into

new orca policies. They are a supporter of the Guy Harvey

the lionfish fray with his students. They been scuba diving to

Ocean Foundation and I have teamed with them on their

study lionfish and are helping to design a new trap that could

roller coaster, Mako, to help raise awareness about this

be effective in depths beyond where divers can safely hunt

threatened species.

the invasive species. As a bonus, the students were visited by

Just as the fishing I did as a child has evolved into

my friend Steve Gittings, science coordinator at NOAA’s Office

more research and science-based angling, the theatrical

of National Marine Sanctuaries in Washington, D.C., to share

orca presentations that made SeaWorld famous have also

lionfish trap design ideas.

changed dramatically to reflect a new consciousness about

Finally, you may have noticed that we have some

the marine ecosystem. They deserve credit for being able

SeaWorld-related articles in this edition of the magazine.

to adapt, as well as for their dedication to animal rescues

“Anatomy of a Rescue” is the true story of a dolphin named

for more than five decades.

GUY HARVEY, PhD

Rodeo that was rescued, rehabilitated and returned safely to the wild five months later. It’s one of 30,000 animal rescues

Tight lines and fair winds!

is an internationally-acclaimed

that SeaWorld has been involved with in the past 50 years.

artist, fisherman, scientist, and

And while the company has received negative press in recent

world traveler, who devotes

years, I have personally been impressed at how they have

much of his time and money

changed with the times, especially with their progressive

toward ocean conservation.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 13

NEWS, NOTES & GEAR GH Ocean Foundation Awards $30,000 in Scholarships

BY CARLOS GOYCOCHEA

Six graduate students from Florida universities got a boost to their

impact on our ocean ecosystem,” said Dr. Harvey. “We congratulate them for

education, thanks to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. Established in

what they’ve already accomplished and look forward to the work they will do in

2010 through a partnership between Florida Sea Grant and the GHOF, the

the future.”

scholarships recognize grad students whose research focuses on the biology, ecology, habitat or management of fish in the state. Since its inception, 41 students have received $194,000 in scholarships.

University of Florida

The 2017 recipients are Nicholas Ducharme-Barth from University of Florida, Meaghan Faletti and Elizabeth Herdter from University of South Florida,

Nicholas Ducharme-Barth from Fredericksburg, Virginia, is in the fisheries

and Bryan Keller, Brian Moe and Cheston Peterson from Florida State University.

and aquatic sciences program within the School of Forest Resources and

Each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship to support their individual

Conservation. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. with research focusing on using

academic programs as well as a certificate designed and signed by Dr. Guy

spatial information associated with the Vessel Monitoring System data to gain a

Harvey himself.

better understanding of the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Through their research, these students will have a lasting and significant

Nicholas Ducharme-Barth

14 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Meaghan Faletti

Elizabeth Herdter

University of South Florida Meaghan Faletti from Ocoee, Florida, is doing her master’s degree program investigating the movement of hogfish in the Gulf of Mexico as they age from juveniles to adults. Meaghan comes to USF by way Florida State University where she graduated in 2013. While there, she primarily studied the effects of invasive lionfish and red grouper on community structure in Florida Bay. After graduating from FSU, she worked at the FWC for two years coordinating the state’s lionfish outreach program. Elizabeth Herdter from New Milford, Connecticut, is pursuing her Ph.D. focused on evaluating age structure, growth patterns and abundance

Brian Moe

of juvenile spotted seatrout less than one year old among Florida estuaries. She is also an associate research scientist with the Stock Assessment Group at Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Her primary interests are marine science, fisheries science, resource assessment, ecology, and environmental policy with a strong educational foundation in quantitative population dynamics and statistical fisheries stock assessment.

Florida State University Bryan Keller from Tucson, Arizona, is studying biological oceanography, with research focused on the role of magnetic-based navigation in the seasonal migrations of coastal sharks. Many species are known to complete philopatric migrations, but the navigational mechanisms that facilitate this success are

Bryan Keller

unknown. His work might elucidate some of this uncertainty. Brian Moe from Bloomington, Minnesota, studies biological science and his dissertation is focused on filling information gaps regarding the life history and population dynamics of deep-water shark species, many of which are still poorly understood.

His past research has focused on ways to better understand a shark’s lifetime growth and more accurately estimate mortality rates and rebound potentials.

Cheston Peterson from Knoxville, Tennessee, studies biological science and is focused on the study of how medium-sized predators make decisions about how to move and where to go based on the locations of their prey and predators.

His research interests are broadly rooted in the ecology of large marine fishes, particularly sharks and rays. His current research involves the natural history and ecology of coastal sharks in the seagrass habitat of the Florida Big Bend.

Cheston Peterson

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 15

Your Course to Better Fishing Performance

Sportfishing Groups Speak Out

BY JACK CREVALLE

Featuring

Host of FlatsClass TV & Guy Harvey Outpost Fishing Team Captain

Capt. C. A. Richardson

Hard core fishing freaks like me can ramble on and on about the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) with relative ease. But, if the MSA is not part of your typical vernacular, it should be. Because these days, this set

2017……

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Back when Magnuson-Stevens was passed in 1976, it accomplished several important goals. It pushed the designation of “national” waters from 12 to 200 miles, preventing foreign fleets from poaching our coastal waters. Good thing, right? Yep. It also focused on preventing overfishing, rebuilding stocks and ensuring a sustainable supply of seafood.

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Well, that all just sounds peachy. And, it is. However, the root of the MSA problem is, somewhat ironically, the word “fishing.” When the law was written, it applied equally to both commercial and recreational fishing. That may have been okay back in 1976 but we all know that these two types of fishing are as different as Hillary and The Donald.

G u y

H a r v e y

O u t p o s t

Islamorada

So, both the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) are trying to persuade governmental leadership (is that an oxymoron?) to separate recreational fishing (anglers like you and me) from commercial fishing (anglers like those hearty dudes in the frigid Alaskan waters pulling up crab traps while also chipping icicles from their beards).

Here’s what Liz Ogilvie, the chief marketing officer for ASA had to say recently: “Since its original passage in 1976, and through subsequent reauthorizations, the Magnuson-Stevens Act has never focused specifically on addressing the unique challenges of federal saltwater recreational fisheries management. We hope Congress will use the current reauthorization process as an opportunity to address this historic inequity, and ASA believes passage of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act would be a tremendous step

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toward this goal.”

The new “Modern Fish Act” Ogilvie is referring to was introduced by a gaggle of senators from Florida to Hawaii and will provide federal managers with the tools and data to manage recreational fishing specifically, rather than continuing to manage sportfishing the same as commercial fishing.

In additional to ASA’s actions, the NMMA is speaking out as well.

16 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha Marine Group and a NMMA member, has pointed to sportfishing’s massive $70 billion economic windfall and 450,000 jobs as a reason to give recreational fishing its own playground.

“I would like to focus on the economic impact of recreational saltwater fishing,” Speciate said, “and thereby underscore the need for amending the Magnuson-Stevens Act to allow for increased management flexibility for recreational fisheries.”

He went on to say that, “Among other innovations, it will improve recreational fisheries data by considering modern, third-party data collection systems, such as from smartphones.”

Undoubtedly, apps on our phones will be a large part of future data

.

collecting. So one day we may be required to take photos of our catch for a centralized database. We love taking photos of our fish anyway so it’s a natural progression. Participation is the key, whether it’s voluntary or eventually mandated. Time will tell. But in the meantime, the sportfishing community has united to create our unique identity—one

during hearings on the 200-mile fisheries legislation (later the MagnusonStevens Act) before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans and Atmosphere in Washington D.C., on December 6, 1973.

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Y HARV

EY

Above: Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Senator Warren Magnuson (D-WA)

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Photo: Stevens Foundation.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 17

New Research Vessel to take Students and Teacher to Sea The Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) in St. Petersburg, Florida,

I guess it’s an even greater honor to have it named for me while I’m still alive!”

has been the launch point of many scientific expeditions over the past few

Construction on the new state-of-the-art vessel was completed in May

decades. One of the FIO’s main functions is leasing their research vessels to

2017. She will be ready for work by January 2018, following sea trials. The 78-

scientists, who are associated with Florida colleges, for affordable rates that

ft. ship with a 26-ft. beam is both longer and wider than the Bellows and has

are far less than ships on the commercial market. The R/V Weatherbird and R/V

more working deck space, separate wet and dry labs, and more comfortable

Bellows have been in service with FIO since the early 1980s and have provided

accommodations. The Hogarth has berths for 10 scientists and a crew of

a floating platform for numerous explorations.

four. She will assume her role as “Florida’s floating lab,” carrying students and

While the R/V Weatherbird is still in good shape and chugging along, the

researchers to sea. She is also equipped with a satellite Internet link, fisheries

R/V Bellows had been in service for nearly 50 years and was in desperate need

eco-sounders, dual-head swath bathymetry (for bottom-mapping) and a

of replacement. That goal was accomplished with the new $6 million R/V W.T.

dynamic positioning system.

Hogarth, named for Dr. Bill Hogarth, who has had a distinguished 50-year

The launch ceremony and christening, complete with the traditional

career in the marine field. Hogarth was appointed as NOAA’s director of the

smashing of the champagne bottle across the bow, was held on May 23, 2017,

National Marine Fisheries Service by President George W. Bush, and served

at Duckworth Steel Boats in Tarpon Springs. Dignitaries from around the state

as chair of the International Whaling Commission, chair of the International

and nation came to congratulate Dr. Hogarth on his namesake vessel and see

Association of Atlantic Tuna Commission, dean of the College of Marine

the launch of the state-of-the-art ship.

Science at the University of South Florida, USFSP interim regional chancellor, and was director of FIO from 2011–2016.

“It’s quite an honor to have the vessel named after me,” Hogarth said, “and I appreciate the efforts of everyone, especially Senators Jack Latvala and Kathleen Peters who were instrumental in receiving the funding for the ship.

The 78-ft. research vessel being launched in May 2017.

18 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

“The great thing about having the vessel built here in our backyard was to meet the Duckworth family and to work with them on the construction because they are top-notch boat builders. We were lucky to have them on the project,” Hogarth said.

“The R/V W.T. Hogarth will be a welcomed addition to FIO’s fleet that

will provide exciting new technical capabilities to enable world-class research and educational opportunities that help Florida understand and preserve its critical marine environment,” said FIO Director Philip Kramer.

Future expeditions will include a study of various marine life, effects of pollution, water sampling, bioacoustics, sediment coring, fisheries research and more.

Funding for the ship was a collaborative effort with participation from Florida’s state legislature, FIO, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Florida, University of Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, Eckerd College, Florida International University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Central Florida, Florida State University and the City of St. Petersburg.

Above: The ship’s namesake, Dr. Bill Hogarth. Below: With lifespans in the wild of over 100 years, the Galápagos

Galápagos Photo Safari

tortoise is one of the longest-lived vertebrates. Spanish explorers, who discovered the islands in the 16th century, named them after the Spanish galápago, meaning “tortoise.” Photo: Ron Moda.

In case you didn’t hear about it, the Guy Harvey Outpost sponsored a photo safari to the Galapágos islands last May, led by Sports Illustrated photographer, Ron Modra. Apparently, the event went off like a click! Sorry about that one. A group of photographers and adventurers, as well as country music star Ronnie Dunn, of the prolific band Brooks and Dunn, followed Mondra to the amazing landscapes and seascapes off of Ecuador’s coast.

“I signed up for the Galapágos experience so excited to get the privilege to hang with some top-notch photographers,” Dunn said. “Trust me, I wasn’t let down. These guys are not just superstar lensmen; they are renowned adventurers. Charles Darwin opened the window to the Galapágos Archipelago and journeys like this, led by an elite Jedi photographer like Ron Modra who brings together

If you missed the last photo safari, don’t fret.

island, land-based expedition through the Galapágos.

the culmination of evolution, preservation and pure

Modra will lead another group of photographers and

For more information or to book one of the 11 spots

wonder to the lens of your camera. Magic!”

adventurers October 29–November 5, 2017, on a six-

available, visit: www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 19

Set Your Hook in

South Carolina

Set your Hook in South Carolina

Plan Your Next Fishing Getaway at Photo courtesy of TakeMeFishing.org 20 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/setyourhook/

Florida Teen Survives Coma

BY FRED GARTH Being in the marine publishing biz has its share of unexpected twists and

him the story about Joshua’s accident. And, that he’s a sophomore at River Ridge

turns. I happened to be in Houston last spring at the Bassmaster Classic gawking

High School in New Port Richey, Florida. That he loves to fish and play hockey. And

at a convention hall-filled to the brim with cool fishing products and celebrity bass

that he loves Guy Harvey. I’d already picked out a shirt that I hoped would fit Josh.

fishermen. I also spent a lot of the time hanging around the Guy Harvey booth

Of course, Guy happily signed the shirt and I sent it to Bill.

and mingling with Guy and his staffers. One afternoon my cell phone buzzed and I saw that one of my favorite people, Dr. Bill Hogarth, was calling.

When I answered, Bill began telling me a story of a 15-year-old kid named

It was quite touching to see the photo Bill sent me a couple of months later of Josh, still in a wheelchair, and wearing his autographed Guy Harvey shirt and hat.

Bill had invited Josh to attend the launch party of the ship named in Bill’s honor,

Joshua Stuiso, who had almost been killed when the oak tree limb that his rope

the R/V Hogarth. As I studied the photo of one of Guy’s most dedicated fans, I

swing was tied to broke and fell on him. It was a big limb. Josh was

realized how lucky I am to be able to have such genuine friends who are eager to

in a coma.

help their fellow man (or teenager) in need.

“He really loves Guy,” Bill said. “If there’s anything we can get for him, it might help him get better.”

Bill had no idea that I was in Houston and looking at Guy as we spoke. “Bill,” I said, “I’m standing about 20 feet from Guy right now, watching him sign T-shirts for a long line of admirers.”

“Oh great, see what you can do. Anything would help.”

The good news is that Josh is expected to have a full recovery thanks to excellent medical care and, just maybe, a dose of compassion from Bill Hogarth and Guy Harvey.

Before this issue of the magazine went to press, Dr. Hogart sent me more pictures of Josh (see below). He’s no longer in a wheelchair and his recovery is progressing nicely.

After an hour or so, when the line had thinned out, I approached Guy and told

Above: Dr. Bill Hogarth with Joshua during the early stages of his recovery. Right: A nearly fully recovered Joshua with his dad Mike and mom Joy. Mike is a captain with Pasco County Fire Rescue and had just gotten off duty on the day of the accident. He was able to get to Joshua quickly, render aid and help save his life.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 21

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FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME, GET HOOKED WITH THE LOUISIANA CHARTER BOAT ASSOCIATION

WWW.LASALTWATER.COM

Teachers get serious about catching fish, and when they do, it’s all smiles.

BY GREG JACOSKI

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are some of the most intelligent animals on the planet and have captivated humans for generations. They have been featured on TV and in Hollywood films, and are staples in marine entertainment parks around the world.

Cetaceans are also some of the most protected wild animals by international law in the world.

24 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

However, one species of porpoise has been literally caught up in a fishery targeting another animal altogether. The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the most endangered marine mammal on the planet.

Like many issues facing our ocean ecosystem, the threat to the vaquita is one of unsustainable fishing. These animals only reproduce every other year and typically only give birth to one offspring at a time, so their population cannot maintain the current level of extraction. Even more, vaquitas are not even the direct target of any whalers, hunters or fishermen. They simply have the unfortunate circumstance of sharing their habitat with a highly prized, and also critically endangered fish.

The totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) is a species of drum fish native to the central and northern Gulf of California. The totoaba has been the biggest fishery in the Gulf since the early 1950s. Many Asian cultures place a high demand on the totoaba swim bladder, making them a valuable fish to harvest. However, the life history of the totoaba, including its long life span and aggregation spawning strategy, make them especially susceptible to overfishing.

Commercial fishing for totoaba was officially banned in 1975 and it is currently illegal in the United States and Mexico to buy or sell any parts of the fish. However, the continued demand for the swim bladder and a high selling price has driven a black market and illegal trade of totoaba. According to research by the Environmental Investigation Agency, totoaba swim bladders can sell for as much as $8,500/kg on the black market, giving poachers a great deal of incentive to continue fishing illegally.

The poachers fish for totoaba using gillnets. These nets are strung in a waterway between two buoys and form an almost invisible wall of mesh that indiscriminately catches anything that tries to pass through, including turtles, dolphins and vaquita. Since vaquita and totoaba are roughly the same size, these nets are all too effective at catching both species. Vaquita become entangled in these gillnets and drown.

The government of Mexico has been working diligently to help save their native porpoise. With input from researchers, the government has set an action plan into place to save the last of the vaquita. The strategy will be two-fold, including capturing as many of the remaining animals as possible to house in a protected pen within their natural range and to prohibit and remove all gillnets in the area, regardless of the targeted species.

The Mexican government has put their money where their Photos of live vaquitas are extremely rare. Some experts think that the species has already been completely wiped out. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.

mouth is with over $100 million spent in support of a temporary gillnet fishing ban, which included payments for lost revenue

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 25

This image of a vaquita was digitally enhanced by 17-year-old vaquita advocate, Aidan BodeoLomicky, who runs V-log, a blog for vaquitas. www.vlogvaquita.com

for commercial fishermen and $3 million earmarked for conservation

previously mentioned, nobody is even sure if or how many vaquita are

organizations. In June 2017, Mexico demonstrated their commitment to

still alive, as they are becoming increasing difficult to find free in the

saving the vaquita by instituting a permanent gillnet ban for all species

wild. Once they are located, this species has never been captured alive

in the Gulf. However, despite the best efforts of the Mexican authorities

so it is unknown how well they will fair in captivity. Researchers do know

and a number of NGOs, illegal gillnet fishing is sure to continue, so the

that some species of porpoise do better in captivity than others. For this

second phase of the plan will help ensure that any remaining vaquita do

effort, a vaquita showing any signs of distress due to their capture will be

not encounter these nets.

released immediately.

As difficult as one would think it would be to completely ban a

Officials estimate this plan will cost more than $5 million and will rely

fishing method that has existed for generations, the other phase of the

on a variety of funding sources, including donations from the public,

plan could prove to be even more difficult. Researchers and conservation

private organizations and non-profit groups. There is a need for ongoing

groups intend to capture as many of the remaining vaquita as possible

funding beyond 2017 to keep field efforts on track and to allow for

and transport them, temporarily, to an enclosed pen within their

ongoing care of the vaquita in their temporary sanctuary.

natural range.

This obviously presents a number of potential problems. As

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SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment has been at the forefront of this effort to save the vaquita, financially and by lending their extensive

history in transporting marine mammals, monitoring the health of captive animals and, perhaps most importantly, their expertise in marine

this crisis and raise money toward a solution.”

This growing effort to save a dying species has brought together

mammal breeding. All of these skills could be instrumental in rescuing

nations, militaries, researchers, conservationists and the general public

the few remaining vaquita and rebuilding their population.

like few environmental issues before. But the chances of survival remain

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) partnered with SeaWorld in 2015 to help advance research and increase awareness of shark

slim for the last of the vaquita.

While the vaquita have a very limited global range, their potential

conservation. When they brought the plight of the vaquita to the

extinction signals a far greater concern that humans may not have the

attention of Guy Harvey, he was eager to get involved.

ability to reverse the damage that is being done to our natural resources.

“Unsustainable fishing is arguably the biggest threat to the health

Cetaceans are some of the most appreciated and loved species on the

of the ocean ecosystem,” says GHOF Chairman Guy Harvey. “Not only is

planet. If their extinction cannot be prevented, the chances of smaller,

it detrimental to the targeted species, but the lack of regulation leads to

less charismatic organisms surviving look bleak, even if these smaller

increased negative impacts on the entire ecosystem.”

organisms may play an even more crucial role in the global ecosystem.

Guy immediately went to work on painting several vaquita designs,

Rising sea temperatures and changing ocean chemistry have reduced

the first he has ever done of this species. Of course, in true Guy Harvey

phytoplankton populations globally by over 40% since the 1950s.

fashion, these original works of art were repurposed for T-shirt designs to

Plankton produce 50% of Earth’s oxygen, reduce atmospheric carbon

be sold with the proceeds benefitting the effort to save the vaquita.

dioxide and serve as the foundation of the ocean food chain, yet they are

SeaWorld is thrilled to have the GHOF involved. “The plight of the

microscopic and do not pique the general public’s interest like marine

vaquita porpoise illustrates the devastation the illegal wildlife trade can

mammals do. Should the vaquita go extinct, plankton, and the rest of our

inflict on a species,” says SeaWorld Chief Zoological Officer Dr. Chris Dold.

ocean ecosystem, could be close behind.

“We are proud to partner with Guy Harvey to help educate people about Right: Totoaba maws openly on sale in Guanzhou, China.

Photo courtesy of Environmental Investigation Agency.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 27

BY JACK CREVALLE

unclear if they could communicate directly with each other, one to one. In 2007, Australian scientists identified specific whistles, which were interpreted to mean things like, “I’m here, where is everyone,”

Can dolphins talk to each other?

“Hurry up,” and “There’s food over here.” Sound a little bit like a typical human family’s conversation at Thanksgiving?

The question remains if or when we will translate their language

It’s well established that dolphins are smart. In fact, their brains are larger and more complex than human brains. Scientists have

so that we can communicate directly with dolphins just like we talk to our fellow humans.

recorded their whistles and clicks for years and knew they were using some form of communication, but not until recently have some experts come to believe that dolphins can have conversations

In Dolphins We Trust

much like we do. Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Feodosia, Ukraine, recorded Yasha and Yana, two Black Sea

Speaking of dolphins, there are many stories of the happy

bottlenose dolphins in captivity, floating next to one another and

mammals assisting people who were drowning or in distress, but

seeming to have a conversation. Lead researcher Dr Vyacheslav

perhaps the most heartwarming tale comes from New Zealand

Ryabov said, “Essentially, this exchange resembles a conversation

in 2004 where an entire pod of dolphins is credited with saving

between two people.”

four swimmers from a great white shark. Lifeguard Rob Howes,

What is fascinating about the interaction is that the dolphins

his daughter Niccy, 15, Karina Cooper, 15, and Helen Slade, 16,

appeared to be keenly interested in what the other had to say

were swimming about 300 feet from shore at Ocean Beach, near

and understood that they had to take turns vocalizing to get their

Whangarei, when seven bottlenose dolphins sped toward them and

meaning across. So, apparently the have more manners than we do

herded them together.

and don’t interrupt each other constantly.

Scientists know that dolphins use more than 1,000 different types of whistles depending on social context, but it has been

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“They were behaving really weird,” Howes said, “turning tight circles on us, and slapping the water with their tails. Then I turned and saw this great big grey fish swim around me.”

The dolphins kept herding the swimmers together and circled protectively around them for another 40 minutes, fending off the

What is more dangerous than sharks?

10-foot-long great white shark until the swimmers were able to get safely back to their boat.

Sure, sharks can be dangerous. But only if they attack, which is actually quite rare. In fact, the average number of unprovoked

Giant Sushi

attacks per year worldwide is only 82, resulting in six to eight deaths per year on average. Also noteworthy is that out of more than 480 shark species, only three are responsible for the majority of fatal

Dolphins might be smart and protective of humans, but giant

attacks on humans: the great white, tiger and bull. However, it’s

squid apparently have less love for people. Maybe it’s because we

widely believed that oceanic whitetips have probably killed many

love to eat them. Or, squids just might be naturally angry.

people whose boat or ship went down (such as during wartime),

Whatever the reason, there are documented cases in which giant squid have actually attacked big metal ships. In 1978, the U.S. Naval

leaving their passengers drifting at sea.

But, don’t stay out of the water worrying about sharks when

destroyer USS Stein was forced to return to port in San Diego after

there are other sinister killers out there you may not suspect. Believe

suffering the failure of its SONAR system, following an attack by an

it or not, on average, 2.1 people are killed by vending machines each

unknown species of squid. A drydock inspection revealed serious

year. Apparently, some people (mostly men) try to get free snacks by

damage to the underwater SONAR dome of the ship, with cuts as

tilting and shaking vending machines, which do weigh quite a bit.

long as four feet across its protective rubber coating. Nearly all of

Dozens of injuries occur each year when the machine topples over

the cuts contained remnants of sharp, curved claws found on the

and lands on top of the snack snatchers. The unlucky ones are killed

rims of suction cups of some squid tentacles. The claws were much

and didn’t even get to enjoy their Twinkies.

larger than those of any squid that had been discovered at that time.

Some estimates placed the size of the squid at up to 150-ft. long.

More recently, in 2014, some incredible footage taken from a

Escalators are even deadlier than vending machines, causing four to six deaths per year in the United States alone. Worst still are—and this is hard to believe—champagne corks that take the

Greenpeace submarine shows a giant squid attacking the sub. Two

lives of more than 20 people per year, a third of which occur at

subs were doing research in the Bering Sea between Russia and

weddings. No one expected “till death do you part” to happen that

Alaska and using their underwater lights to stay in visual contact.

quickly. It’s easier to fathom that about 25 people die in saunas

Japanese fishermen use massive lights also because they attract

annually, but what is really strange is the seemingly innocent

squid, which the fishermen can then scoop up in their nets. In this

coconut that, according to many websites, kills 150 unsuspecting

case, the attraction to light was unfortunate because a huge squid

humans annually. Upon further review, the coconut claim may be

was recorded on video reeling around as it attacked the outside of

an Internet myth. However, it’s entirely possible considering that a

the sub, squirting copious amounts of ink at it.

three-pound coconut, falling from a 25-ft. tree, could be traveling in

When the submarine crew shined a torch light on the angry

excess of 50 miles per hour when it conks you on the head.

squid to try and scare it away, the squid responded by thrashing the

So, if you’re scared of sharks, you should relax and go for a swim,

sub some more with its arms before swimming away. And the lesson

far away from escalators and vending machines. Just keep your eyes

is, don’t shine bright lights at squid, unless you intend on

in the sky for falling coconuts.

catching them.

To see the video, go to: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/storybehind-greenpeaces-squid-attacking-submarine-footage.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 29

So, you want to be a marine biologist! (Or, do you?)

BY JJ WATERS

“I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up!“ she said. “Oh yeah?” I said. “And what exactly do you want to do?” “Umm, I don’t know. Swim with sharks and dolphins, and travel the world!” (Me, too, I thought.) As career goals go, that’s certainly not a bad one to have!

While having a goal is always the first step, understanding what options and jobs exist will help you define that goal. A lot of people tend to lump all marine conservation/fisheries/science careers under the “marine biologist” heading. The truth is, there are a lot of careers and opportunities in this industry that don’t involve a marine biology degree. What?! (Okay, before you get too excited about skipping that science, math, chemistry or zoology class, read on!)

Disclaimer: If you want to study living organisms, plants and animals in the marine environment you’ll want to chart a course in marine biology. And don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge proponent of pursuing a marine biology degree, but there are a lot of other options out there that you might not have even thought about! There are so many career choices in this field that it would take an entire issue of Guy Harvey Magazine to cover them all. Until then, we decided to take a look at just a few other pretty cool, and perhaps lesser-known, career paths and some of the people who have taken them.

Joe Grinnan conducting a target dive offshore Saipan, CNMI. Photo: Alex DeCaro.

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Tammy Assid Supervisor, Education at SeaWorld Degree in Elementary Education If you love kids (and animals), ever dreamed of making a difference in children’s lives and want to help develop the next generation of marine stewards, this might be the job for you.

(Although, Tammy says she’s not going anywhere just yet!) In Tammy’s role with SeaWorld in Orlando, she oversees the field trip programs, camps, sleep-overs, group-based education, and is the Partners-in-Education program coordinator for the schools. She began her career in 1987 and it didn’t take her long to figure out that working with kids was her ambition. She went back to school to get a degree in elementary education and began teaching, and is now running the programs. She begins and ends her day with one goal: helping kids foster a love and respect for the marine environment and its inhabitants.

What she loves about her job: Realizing the impact that she’s making in kids’ lives, knowing that through these programs, she’s helping create ambassadors for the future of conservation. Over her nearly 30-year tenure, she has seen kids progress from young campers to interns to employees!

What she recommends: Choose a degree in teaching for the right reasons. Have a passion

Camp counselors educate students as they experience up-close animal encounters. Above: Discovering, first-hand. Below: Playful dolphins entertain students.

for kids and animals. Volunteer at a zoo. Be a docent. Parents, enroll your kids in one of the many aquatic camps and education programs early in life!

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 31

Holly Parker teaching the next generation of

Holly Parker

ocean advocates. Photo: Kevin Curry.

Florida Regional Manager, Surfrider Foundation Degree in International Affairs/Political Science, M.S. Political Science Ever thought about turning your passion for surfing, fishing or paddleboarding

What she loves about her job:

into policy change? If so, you might want to follow in Holly’s footsteps. As the

Holly loves working with activists. Some are surfers, some are anglers, some are

Florida regional manager for the Surfrider Foundation, she helps the 11 local

kayakers—but they’re all beach and ocean lovers. She’s seen volunteers make a

chapters in the state fight for clean water, beach access, ocean protection, healthy

huge difference in their communities. “There’s no end to what a passionate group

beaches and an end to plastic pollution. When she’s not traveling to each chapter,

of volunteers can accomplish when they get organized,” she says.

focusing on their local issues, she’s in Tallahassee, working with the Florida legislature to support public policy that protects our ocean, waves and beaches.

What she recommends:

The Surfrider Foundation is one of the largest ocean conservation nonprofits,

If you want to work in public policy, start getting involved with different levels of

founded 33 years ago by (you guessed it!) surfers who were concerned about

government and learning how the legislative process works. Go to city council

development and pollution destroying their local beach. Today, there are 84

meetings, speak at a committee meeting or meet with your member of Congress.

chapters, 250,000 supporters and 271 victories for the ocean—a true testament to

You’ll get comfortable speaking in public, creating a persuasive argument, and

turning a passion into a positive outcome...and a rewarding career.

influencing decision makers—all important skills you’ll need in the future. Oh, and don’t forget to volunteer.

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Mac Stone Conservation Photographer and Author Degree in Environmental Science, International Politics and Policy, Spanish, Minor in Biology Mac Stone didn’t set out to become a professional photographer. He didn’t even

his photographic body of work covering the landscapes, flora and fauna of the

study photography in college. Capturing images of the outdoors began at an

watershed would become an award-winning coffee table book, Everglades:

early age, and at the time it was primarily for his own enjoyment. His love for

America’s Wetland.

photography would take him down another path later in life. As a youth, he spent countless hours near his home in north Central Florida photographing the unique

What he loves about his job:

topography and inhabitants of the nearby wetlands. When it came time to make a

Doing the work that he truly loves. Having the satisfaction of knowing that he’s

choice for college, he decided to follow his curiosity for science and

making a difference, impacting others, and changing views about conservation

international politics.

through art and photography.

After college, armed with degrees and fluent in Spanish, he was able to travel

What he recommends:

and work in Central and South America for two years. In a biodiverse region

The more diverse your education is, the more options you have. Never give up on

of Honduras, he taught environmental science and nature photography to

what you want. Follow your passion. There’s no right or wrong way and there’s

underprivileged youth in order to strengthen environmental awareness in the

often no roadmap. If what you want doesn’t exist, then create it. Find a mentor;

region. Later, he returned to Florida to work with Audubon on restoration and

don’t go it alone.

research efforts for the Everglades Science Center. Over a span of five years,

Mac Stone keeping his equipment dry while searching for Ghost Orchids in Big Cypress National Preserve. Photo: Garl Harrold.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 33

Iulia Siemen Director Habitats, Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Degree in Chemical Engineering Iulia has a big job: designing, building and then maintaining the water quality and health of the habitats for the animals at the park. And she doesn’t do it alone.

Her team consists of, among others: aquatic life support operators who test the water every four hours; automation technicians who monitor and program the computers that run the automation; underwater maintenance divers who manage “everything below the water line.” Iulia didn’t even know this job existed when she first got out of college. She worked with Anheuser Busch and serendipitously had

college. When it came to a degree, though, her love of science was surpassed

an opportunity to move to the parks and recreation side. Now, 15 years later, after

by another passion, English literature. But she couldn’t escape her love for the

working in design and engineering, she oversees the department. “It’s the best of

outdoors and for the animals she’d worked with every summer. By graduation,

science, technology, art and entertainment!” she exclaims.

she had earned her English lit degree as well as a second major in environmental studies. After graduation, she got a position working in outdoor environmental

What she loves about her job:

education, which took her to Alaska and Georgia. She soon realized that doing

The science: Habitats have a life of their own. The challenge. Trying new things

what you love is great, but paying the rent is helpful, too! She landed a job as a

versus what’s been proven in the past. Every day is a fascinating experience of

reporter for a newspaper and before long she noticed that she kept gravitating

adaptation and change. Learning all the time.

toward environmental news stories. She loved journalism but felt something was missing. When a position with FWC opened in 2011, she realized that all

What she recommends:

of the experience she had garnered along the way had prepared her for that

For this role and degree, you’ll need to be mechanically inclined. And you’ll need

opportunity. Among many other duties, she writes, edits, manages social media,

a real passion for animals. Her number one piece of advice: do an internship. You’ll

provides content and photography, and speaks. She’s now doing what she calls

discover a lot through an internship. “Your education will open doors, but you

her “dream job.”

‘don’t know what you don’t know’ when you first graduate. Follow your passion.

What she loves about her job: With 500 fisheries species to manage, the job is challenging and dynamic,

Amanda Nalley Public Information Specialist, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Marine Fisheries Management Degree in English Literature, Environmental Studies

changing day to day. Working with her team. Working with the media. Learning new things all the time. Educating others about fisheries issues.

What she recommends: Learn as many skills as possible. If you’re in a job that’s not your dream job, don’t lose hope. Think of it as a stepping stone; every job can create experience and the opportunity toward the right one.

If you’re a fisherman, you’re likely aware of when, say, snapper season or lobster season opens, or what the legal limit is on your favorite fish. As the PIC with FWC (they love acronyms), it’s Amanda’s job to make sure the media, the public and other stakeholders are kept abreast of fishing regulations, are aware of when they change and understand why they exist. You might be wondering: how did an English lit degree take her to fisheries? Like many others in our career spotlight, Amanda didn’t end up where she started. Or, maybe she did. She grew up in coastal Mississippi and at age six she began attending summer camp at a local aquarium, where her love for all things aquatic would take root. When she could no longer attend as a student, she became a camp counselor and continued through

34 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Amanda Nalley off St. Marks, Florida, while on an photo/video shoot. Photo: FWC.

Left: Steven Niblick, a filtration mechanic on Iulia’s team, tests water in a rehab pool for rescued manatees. Right: Joe Grinnan investigating the 77-ft. iron mast of the Adelaide Baker, wrecked in 1889 off Duck Key in the Florida Keys. Photo: Nicole Grinnan.

Joe Grinnan Maritime Archaeologist Degree in Anthropology, M.A. Historical Archaeology Joe grew up along the Northeast Florida coast and spent his summers at the beach and in the many nearby freshwater springs. “I was always wet,” he recants. It was the water that drew him to the Florida Keys, where he became a divemaster, teaching lessons and taking visitors on dive excursions. He noticed that a lot of his peers were treasure hunting, and although he was fascinated by history and discovery, he wanted to preserve treasures and artifacts, not hunt and remove them. He finished his degree in anthropology and then headed north to the University of West Florida, for his masters in historical archaeology

What he loves about his job:

(UWF is renowned for its world-class archaeology program). Today, as a maritime

Being near, on and in the water. Having close encounters with marine life, like

archaeologist for a consulting firm, he spends a lot of time getting wet and

turtles and bait balls, and rays and dolphins. The thrill of unearthing a part of

discovering archaeological sites. The scope of Joe’s work ranges from sunken

history and preserving it.

wrecks, to beach re-nourishment projects, to artificial reefs, to federal surveys, to pretty much you-name-it. “I go wherever the projects are,” he said. And that

What he recommends:

could be in salt water, rivers, lakes or underwater caves. On one exploration, they

Volunteer with a marine non-profit organization. Get scuba certified. Attend

discovered the oldest wooden spoon in the New World, and a Spanish breastplate

a field school that offers a glimpse into marine archaeology like Lighthouse

from the Don Tristan de Luna expedition from 1559. Not all the work involves

Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP), and get your degree.

finding glamorous artifacts, but it is all about discovery and adventure and that is why he chose this field.

..................................................................................................................

So, what do you need to pursue a career in this exciting field?

Here’s what we found.

Passion: Not a single person we spoke with failed to mention passion as the

Love for the Marine Environment: Obviously, this goes without saying. I’m going

number one reason for personal job satisfaction. Follow your passion!

to say it anyway. If you want to have a career in marine science/conservation/ biology, you’ll need to have a deep desire to make this (marine) world better, a

Persistence: Interestingly, only one of our featured subjects went straight from

willingness to put in the hard work, an eagerness, a fascination and an insatiable

college into their “preconceived” career path. Never give up!

hunger. If you’ve got that, then, well...the world truly can be your oyster! Or shark!

Or dolphin!

Education: While a formal education in your desired field is important, what’s more important is getting an education. Period. An ongoing education is just as

While attaining a degree in marine biology might be the right path for you and

important, too. Never stop learning!

the one you decide to take, there are a lot of other options out there. We’ve only begun to dip our toes in the water here; we hope that these examples will show

Fun: I don’t know if you noticed, but all of our subjects seem to be having a lot

that when it comes to a career in marine science/conservation, there’s more than

of fun...a job where you have fun leads to greater creativity, job satisfaction,

one course to chart.

productivity and motivation. Have Fun!

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 35

Yellow tangs are routinely taken from the wild for the aquarium trade.

Photo courtesy of Rising Tide Conservation.

36 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Saving Reef Fish Through Aquaculture

BY JJ WATERS

If you’ve ever seen the Disney Pixar movie, Finding Nemo (ok, really, who hasn’t?), then you’ll likely remember the aquarium scene in the dentist’s office where Nemo is taken after being captured, and you’ll probably remember his aquarium mate named Bubbles, an eccentric little yellow tang fish. In the movie, Bubbles doesn’t say much other than shouting “BUBBLES!” every time he sees air bubbles, but he does query the newcomer, Nemo, about “the Big Blue.”

Bubbles: “So, the Big Blue. What’s it like?”

Nemo: “Uh...big...and blue?”

Bubbles: “I knew it.”

It turns out that Bubbles had never seen the “Big Blue” ocean, because he came from a pet store called Fish-o-Rama.

Bubbles just might have been the cartoon prototype of a real-life breakthrough in marine science: aquaculture of ornamental (aquarium) species. www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 37

You may not have thought much about where the fish in aquariums (like the

of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) have had success in the past with

dentist’s, or perhaps yours) come from, or you might be thinking: don’t all fish

breeding marine fish species, but they haven’t had consistent and measurable

come from Fish-o-Ramas? Yes. But you might be surprised to learn that while 95%

success that offers a long-term solution to the negative impacts on marine fish

of freshwater aquarium fish are bred and raised in an aquaculture setting, about

collection from the wild.

95% of saltwater species are still collected from reefs. The yellow Hawaiian tang fish, like Bubbles, is one of the most sought-after aquarium species in the world, with over 300,000 taken from Hawaiian waters each year. Yellow tangs and most all the colorful marine aquarium fish are caught on coral reefs, which are already stressed from over-exploitation, ocean-acidification, predation, bleaching and pollution. It’s no secret that the impacts of wild marine fish collection can be irreparable to both the long-term survivability of marine fish and the habitats in which they live.

If 95% of freshwater species can be aquacultured, why not saltwater species? There are challenges in the marine environment that don’t exist in freshwater, and the science is relatively new. Until very recently, little was known about the egg production, larval rearing and live feeding of yellow

It’s taken over 20 years of research and collaboration to get to where the marine aquaculture industry is today.

In 2001, researchers and scientists at the Oceanic Institute (OI) at Hawaii Pacific University began focusing on yellow tang breeding to begin raising the

It’s taken over 20 years of research and collaboration to get to where the marine aquaculture industry is today.

species through aquaculture. In 2009, under the direction of Judy St. Leger, DVM, the director of Pathology & Research at SeaWorld, a new initiative was developed called the Rising Tide Conservation.

Dr. St. Leger knew that because of the many challenges that existed for marine aquaculture science, a collaborative effort would have to be established for long-term success. Rising Tide Conservation’s mission was threefold: to minimize long-term impact on marine fish collection, to provide public education and understanding of

tang, blue tang, clown fish and other highly popular ornamental reef fish. Take

marine conservation through public display (aquariums), and to ensure that the

yellow tang, for instance—the larvae are microscopic and the foods they eat are

breeding and rearing of tropical fish would be economically viable. Rising Tide’s

even smaller. Their life cycle is much more complex. In the ocean, thousands of

role would include research, information sharing and best practices. They began

eggs are deposited along the reef and the larvae drift with the current, picking up

to collaborate with OI on the yellow Hawaiian tang project.

sustenance along the way, for a period of one to three months until they develop a tail and the ability to swim. Try recreating that scenario in a lab! Some members

This juvenile Potter’s angelfish was farm raised for aquariums rather than extracted from nature.

Photo courtesy of Rising Tide Conservation.

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It took 14 years of tireless research, wins and losses, and trial and error, but in 2015, that team of researchers at OI become the first in the world to successfully

Yellow tang are one of the most popular aquarium fish. They can grow to a length of eight inches and live over 30 years. Photo courtesy of Rising Tide Conservation.

breed and rear yellow tang. ”We are excited to finally see the results of more than

fish that thrive really well in aquariums. Also, this past August, Matt Wittenrich, the

a decade’s work coming to fruition,” said Chatham Callan, director of the finfish

first Rising Tide biologist in Florida, opened a business selling aquaculture marine

program at the Oceanic Institute (OI) of Hawaii Pacific University and current

angelfish. Getting commercial adoption of the production of ornamental fishes at

leader of the yellow tang breeding project. “This achievement is the result of

facilities around the globe is the biggest focus today. Rising Tide (and others) have

what can only be described as a monumental group effort. We look forward to

had great success in culturing species that folks thought could not be done.

continuing this important work, aimed now at improving the methods necessary to take this to the next level.”

Success stories like this demonstrate what can be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of many. “This successful captive breeding of yellow tang is the important first step in a giant leap forward for marine aquaculture,” said Dr. St. Leger. “Most people thought it couldn’t be done. Rising Tide Conservation is proud to have supported Dr. Callan and his team at the Oceanic Institute in achieving this milestone.” Research Centers, like the Oceanic Institute in Hawaii and the

“Now,” Dr. Leger said, “we need commercial producers to take our playbook and raise these fish on a commercial basis. Sustainability means that we need to convince producers that marine fish can be produced as a business alternative to collecting them.”

What can you do?

Hint: you don’t have to be a marine scientist to

University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture Lab, public aquariums like SeaWorld,

make a difference in the sustainability of ornamen-

commercial producers, hobbyists and industry leaders all maintain an open forum

tal marine species.

through Rising Tide Conservation. By determining and sharing best practices, they’ve enabled scientists, researchers and aquaculture biologists the ability to

If you’re considering a saltwater aquarium, ask if the fish you are buying are

solve problems related to fish propagation that have challenged the aquatics

captive bred. By buying captive-bred fish, you’re helping to sustain the species

community for decades.

and the reefs from which wild fish are caught. There are other benefits, too.

Aquacultured fish are accustomed to living in captivity—thus better suited to

What is the next level and what does the future hold for marine aquaculture?

aquarium life. Many shy species are bold and friendly when they are raised in aquaculture. They are conditioned to eat prepared foods so they thrive in both display tanks and home aquariums.

By asking for and buying captive-bred fish, you’re creating a demand that the market will rise to meet. And you’ll be doing your part to ensure the sustainability and the future of these tropical species and the reefs in which they live. “Well

Moving forward, the efforts in marine aquaculture are focused on raising

done!” says Nemo. “I knew it!” says Bubbles.

new species and a whole lot more. Last month, the scientists at the Indian River Research Center released information on growing Cuban hogfish. These fish may not be as famous as Nemo, but they are beautifully colored red, white and yellow

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BY DANNY THORNTON

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SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission returning four rehabilitated manatees. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.

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S

ummer 2013. A kayak fisherman is cruising Dummit Cove in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon looking for snook. It’s a perfect day to be out on the water— blue skies, slight breeze and smooth seas. Suddenly, something catches his eye.

It’s big. Really big. He raises his rod. Then he realizes that it’s no snook. It’s a dolphin stranded in water less than 10 inches deep.

This is the true story of Rodeo, a dolphin, who, if not for the actions of concerned anglers, would probably have died. Rodeo is just one of hundreds of dolphins that have been rescued by an amazing network of volunteers, doctors and biologists who have dedicated their lives to saving sick and injured animals.

And not just dolphins, but manatees, pelicans, turtles, great blue herons and many other animals in need of human assistance.

Rodeo inside a cetacean transport container in route to the return location. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.

After discovering Rodeo, the fisherman initiated the action by calling Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The FWC then reached out to Teresa Jablonski at the Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) in Melbourne.

“We were near the area doing a recovery of a dead dolphin,” Jablonski said, “so we were able to get there pretty quickly and hopefully avoid another fatality.”

Because they were on a recovery mission, Jablonski and her team didn’t have any watercraft available, so she contacted Margaret Boyer, the director at Coco Beach Kayaking.

“Margaret was great. She told us she’d provide us with as many kayaks as we needed, and she also came out with her two sons to help,” Jablonski said.

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The gears of the rescue were turning nicely.

“The fisherman had said that the dolphin was up near Dummitt Cove,” Margaret said, “so we loaded up and went looking for him. Dummitt is pretty large, so we planned to get as many people as possible to find him.”

The troops were mobilized, and by the time Margaret and her sons found Rodeo, Teresa and her HSWRI team had already located him.

“The poor thing wasn’t even in knee-deep water,” Margaret said. “And he was sunburned. We put a sheet over him to keep him wet and protect him from the sun.”

Animal entanglements and strandings are so common that NOAA has a

The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team carrying Rodeo out for return.

Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.

document called the Marine Mammal Stranding Report that is part of the overall

According to Jablonski, Rodeo was mostly likely a full grown adult and was

data collection effort for a national database for the Marine Mammal Health and

stranded because he was very sick. They could tell that Rodeo needed medical

Stranding Response Program. The report on Rodeo tells the story.

attention badly so a rescue was performed rather than trying to relocate him into deeper water for immediate release.

“Here, at the HSWRI,” Jablonski said, “we’re the first responders in situations

12:30 - Stranded dolphin found by fisherman. He reported to FWC upon arrival at home.

2:37 - The Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute was contacted.

4:15 - HSWRI workers get visual on the dolphin.

4:35 - The animal is reached by kayak.

like this. We do a lot of dead animal recovery and then follow up with research on those animals. SeaWorld has the experts to take care of injured animals like Rodeo.

They have the vets and medical facilities to rehabilitate those injured animals.”

In addition to Jablonski’s team and the Boyer family, SeaWorld sent their truck and rescue workers to get Rodeo safely to their rehab center in Orlando. Margaret and her sons helped in the entire process.

The report goes on to say: Mild to moderate sunburn is present along the

“It was really cool how they got him back to land,” she said. “They brought out

animal’s dorsum and appears most severe directly posterior to the blowhole. The

this humongous, gray, floating mat and scooted him on it. Then they folded it up

dolphin is thin, but not emaciated, and no wounds or signs of injury are apparent

like a triangle. It had water going through it to keep him wet. It was funny because

externally. The animal was covered with a sheet and kept wet until SeaWorld Animal

they were sitting on it and using our paddles to get to shore. By that time, Rodeo

Care staff and veterinarian arrived to evaluate the animal.

was calm and he finally figured out that these people were there to help him.”

Then the real work began. Once the experts arrived on the scene, their job

The Marine Mammal Stranding Report is a little more cut and dry: The dolphin

was to safely transport Rodeo, who was already highly stressed, to the truck, then

was placed on a navy mat and floated/pushed to shoreline, promptly loaded into the

take him to the rehab center at SeaWorld in Orlando.

SeaWorld transport vehicle and brought to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation.

“He was really feisty,” Margaret said. “If we got too close to his head, he would

“When we got him to shore,” Margaret said, “they transferred him from the pad

pop his tail. But it seemed like once he figured out we were there help him, he

to the stretcher and I actually got to help pick him up and put him in the back of

calmed down.”

the truck.”

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Left: SeaWorld Orlando preparing to return four rehabilitated manatees.

“We know that’s the fastest road to recovery when they can eat their natural food source. When they’re strong enough, we feed them live fish so they can keep up their hunting skills. For Rodeo, we mostly fed him live pinfish and croakers because that’s what he normally eats.”

Once the diagnostics on Rodeo were complete, they came up with a medical protocol for rehab and then continued with further diagnostics such as X-rays, biopsy, ultrasound and even testing for viruses and other diseases. They also did a bronchial scope on Rodeo to confirm if he had pneumonia. After intensive treatment, Rodeo eventually recovered and gained enough strength to return to the wild. For that to happen, the National Marine Fisheries offices at NOAA have to give their approval.

The ride back to Orlando was about an hour, but it took doctors and rehab specialists five months to get Rodeo healthy enough to reintroduce him into the wild. And, that was no easy task. When Rodeo, or any marine mammal arrives,

When the big day arrived, everyone was involved—SeaWorld, the HSWRI, the National Marine Fisheries, as well as the people who reported the stranding.

“We like to reconnect with the people who helped with the rescue when we’re

it’s like pulling up to the Emergency Room. The medical team shifts into high

ready to return an animal to the water,” Jablonski said. “So, we kept in touch with

gear. Dolphins are placed in the stranding pool, and are given constant care by a

Margaret and let her know when Rodeo would be released.”

minimum of two people, 24 hours a day.

“Rodeo had two people looking after him around the clock for five months,”

Rodeo was rescued in June and released in November. But before he was returned, Jablonski and her team went to SeaWorld to prepare him for his

said Jon Peterson, the manager of Rescue Operations at SeaWorld Orlando. “In

homecoming. “We worked with Jon Peterson to apply a radio tag to the trailing

situations like this, everything is recorded—what they eat, when they pee, when

edge of his dorsal fin so we could track him and make sure he was eating

they pass feces...everything.”

and reintegrating,” Jablonski said.

According to Peterson, when a sick or injured animal arrives, the veterinary

The radio tag sent a signal every time Rodeo surfaced so they were able to

team starts diagnostics immediately. They do blood work, take stomach samples,

keep tabs on him for about 60 days, which is the average life of the battery. Also,

stool samples and review everything over the next 24-hour period to determine

the tags are designed to corrode and fall off at about the same time.

what treatment the animal needs, such as antibiotics for infections.

“The goal is to get them eating real food as soon as possible,” Peterson said.

“We located Rodeo a few times and he was doing great. After his tag came off, we were still able to identify Rodeo and monitor his progress during routine

SeaWorld Orlando, HSWRI and the National Marine Fisheries monitoring Rodeo following his return. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.

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photo-ID surveys utilizing the unique shape of his fin and the freeze brand applied to the dorsal fin,” Jablonski said.

In case you’re wondering, they use liquid nitrogen to brand a unique ID number on the dorsal fin of every rescued dolphin.

Rodeo’s rescue is an amazing example of the intensive effort it takes to save a distressed animal. When the hard work pays off, it’s good news for everybody, especially Rodeo. In fact, he even became a bit of a TV star. The entire event was featured on the television show Sea Rescue.

“It’s funny,” Margaret said. “They showed that episode in my son Garrett’s class at school. When the kids saw it, they were amazed. Garrett just casually said, ‘Yeah, that’s me.’”

Ironically, as this article was being written, Rodeo was found stranded again on July 25, 2017, in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, four years after his original rescue. The team was discouraged when they recognized that the dolphin was Rodeo. Fortunately, they were able to encourage him toward deeper water and watch him swim away.

According to Peterson, more than 30,000 animals have been rescued by SeaWorld and the HSWRI since their program began 50 years ago. That includes 324 cetaceans, 591 manatees and hundreds of reptiles, birds and other animals.

That’s a success story of corporate responsibility that needs to be told. Oh, I guess we just did.

As a kayak tour guide for Cocoa Beach Kayaking and a Florida master naturalist, Margaret Boyer stays wet a lot of the time. She also encounters animals in trouble from time to time, like Rodeo in 2013. More recently, in December 2015, she rescued a very sick green sea turtle near Port Canaveral and took it the Brevard Zoo to see if he could be nursed back to health.

“He was about the size of a dinner plate,” Margaret said, “and he had an infection of some kind. The little thing had lost all of his color. He was just gray and weighed down with barnacles.”

Margaret is also known as Mrs. Boyer to her third grade students at the Sculptor Charter School in Titusville, Florida. She and her class studied about green sea turtles and named the little guy Herbert. They even sent Herbert get well cards.

The zoo kept him for six months, and when it was time to put him back into the wild, Margaret and her students were invited.

“It was a great opportunity for the kids to learn about turtles and then get to see one up close as it was being released.” Not only that, but the every kid wants to take a field trip to the beach.

“When they turned him loose, Herbert was all nice and green again and his shell was scrubbed clean. I think he was happy,” Margaret said. “And my students and I were able to watch Herbert swim off into the sunset.” Aww.

SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team ambassador bottle feeding an orphaned manatee.

Above: The Sculptor Charter School 3rd grade class returning Herbert the turtle to sea. Below: Herbert recovered well under the care of the medical team at the Brevard Zoo.

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MATT MARRIOTT a photo portfolio

A nurse shark pumps sand through its mouth and out its gill slits while searching for food hiding in the sands off Bimini.

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Above: Shafts of light pierce the water over a school of mangrove snapper hanging out in the fresh water at Three Sisters Spring in Crystal River, Florida.

Right: Three pilot fish lead the way for a great hammerhead off the beach in Bimini, while another hammerhead can be seen in the distance. Great hammerheads migrate to the warm waters of Bimini starting in late fall and stay through the winter months.

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Left: A rescued green sea turtle swims in the main tank at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida. Below: Dozens of sharks circle a bait box at Tiger Beach at West End Grand Bahama.

The site is famous for its large concentration of tiger sharks but is also host to great hammerheads, lemon, nurse and Caribbean reef sharks. It’s not uncommon to be swimming with more than a hundred sharks in the water at a time.

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Above: An hourglass treefrog perches in a banana leaf. Found throughout Central and parts of South America, the frog is named for the hourglass-shaped markings on its back. Right: A Caribbean reef shark cruises past an invasive lionfish in the Bahamas. With few natural predators, the invasive fish have flourished throughout the warm waters of the Caribbean and Florida.

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Feeding yellow tail snapper out of Marathon Keys.

Opposite: American red snapper caught on the speed jig.

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A whale shark plows through the water of the Gulf of Mexico near Isla Mujeres. Every summer, thousands of whale sharks come together in the waters off Mexico near Isla Holbox and Mujeres, making it the largest aggregation of whale sharks in the world. The water here is rich in nutrients, mainly in the form of fish eggs from the spawning of bonito in July and August.

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Above: A school of sergeant majors takes refuge in the forests of elkhorn coral that wrap around the northern tip of Isla Mujeres.

Mostly depleted from the reefs of Florida’s southern coastline, elkhorn coral are in relative abundance on the reefs of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Below: A tomato frog shot against a black background for a series called Animal Glamour Shots. The tomato frog is native to Madagascar.

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Above: A large Goliath grouper opens its mouth wide, possibly for cleaning, near the Esso Bonaire wreck in Jupiter, Florida.

The wreck site is home to one of the largest aggregations of Goliath grouper in Florida. Top right: A pod of bottlenose dolphin leap in unison. Bottom right: An aerial drone shot of the Mayan ruins of Ixchel at Punta Sur on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. This is the easternmost point of the Yucatan and the first place the rising sun touches Mexico each day.

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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 24 FALL 2017

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 57 THE WHYS OF REGULATIONS • THE PANAMA ROOSTERFISH • LIONFISH TRAP

BY NICK HONACHEFSKY

THE WHYS OF REGULATIONS Conservation isn’t a contemporary concept, but it certainly has driven

The very first agency devoted exclusively to conservation, the U.S.

fisheries management regulations after the turn of the 20th century. Back in the

Commission of Fish and Fisheries, was formed in 1871 with a mission “dedicated to

day, there were no regulations. I remember looking through old black and white

the protection, study, management and restoration of fish.”

pictures from the 1920s showing hundreds of striped bass hanging on iron pins

This commission eventually turned into the Bureau of Fisheries in 1903.

tacked to lumber beams and stacked on the dock from a day’s surfcasting. The

Sometime around the 1920s or so came more governmental influence in the

“catch and release” philosophy that many anglers take for granted nowadays was

form of size restrictions and bag limits to ensure stocks were not being decimated

pretty much an unknown concept back then. It was more about catching and

beyond repair. And for once, governmental influence was a good thing, as it was a

keeping as many fish as you could—for sustenance, for bragging rights, for leisure,

system to keep natural flow of fish stocks sustainable. That government influence

or a combination of all three—but oh how times have changed. Many factors

most certainly worked well in the days of old, but nowadays it seems to be getting

now contribute to fisheries regulation in this day and age, sadly with profits

more complicated by the day.

now a main driver in the commercial fisheries realm. But I would like to think the

It’s an inevitable conclusion that all regulations, recreational and commercial,

overarching desire for conservation to preserve and protect fish stocks is the true

are intertwined. Take the striped bass stocks in the Northeast. Throughout the

meaning behind recreational anglers’ motives.

1970s, legal commercial netting for bass decimated stocks almost to extinction.

As a recreational angler, I believe we are the leading promoters of fisheries

As a recreational angler, I can tell you that if you ever caught a striper in the Jersey

conservation efforts, as the majority of fishermen hold an innate love for the

surf during the mid-’80s, it was like finding the rainbow unicorn. Eventually, from

fish, the lifestyle and the sport of fishing. We want to see sustainable stocks to

1984 to 1989, a moratorium on striper fishing was instituted on spawning grounds

continue engaging in that enjoyment. Catch and release was probably the first

of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay, allowing striper stocks to procreate and

conservation measure instituted into the recreational fishing community—to be

eventually recover to stunning successes by the late 1990s. That is conservation

able to release a fish for someone else to catch again. Conservation allows for self-

law at its finest. But it shouldn’t have to come to a near collapse of a species to

perpetuation of the fish and the sport of fishing, and anglers do understand that

enact smart regulatory mandates based on proper scientific data.

premise. We like to protect the things that bring us joy. But the government itself plays a big role in helping to conserve fish stocks.

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Simply put, there are too many humans interested in the food value, sport and profits of fish, and fishing not to have any governmental regulation, or

to have humans simply regulate themselves. It would be like letting loose a

Perhaps the greatest regulation of all is one concerning the intrinsic greed

thousand hungry dogs in the last milk bone factory and telling them they can

of humans. Just how much is too much when it comes to generating profits,

each only eat one. Self-regulation certainly won’t work there. Likewise, there will

filling the freezer or padding the bottom line? Above all other concerns, the

always be backlash when governmental regulations are instituted, but for the

conservation concept should be at the forefront of regulation for sure, otherwise,

most part, I truly believe the majority of recreational fishermen will both abide

there will be nothing left to conserve.

by the laws and respect the reasoning behind them. It is when regulations are enacted that seem to fly in the face of legitimate reason that anglers get furious,

Below: Striper Surf Club members Pete Paras, Frank Speyer and Paul Sussman

almost demanding that there’s something shady going on behind the scenes

showing off their catch for the day in the ‘60s. Photo courtesy of stripersurfclub.com.

with collaboration or suspect dealings. That is when people distrust government stepping in to regulate stocks.

Much of that disdain and suspicion of government regulation revolves around commercial fisheries regulations, as big money usually has sway in setting regulations. A perfect, timely example is the recent longlining law in Florida. For the past 16 years, the indiscriminate practice of longlining has been closed in certain regions off Florida, saving untold numbers of swordfish—so much so that the stocks have rebounded to a sustainable level once again. Now, for no logical, conservation-minded reasoning, save for being under the guise of one scientist’s research query, the NOAA authorized an “experimental” longline operation in a closed sector for a 12-month renewable period, consisting of six longline vessels, 720 set lines with 600 hooks on each line, to once again head in the direction to decimate swordfish stocks off of Florida. How many swordfish, sharks and tuna will fall prey to that barrage of attack? How is that conservation-minded?

The RipCharts mobile app allows you to download satellite imagery to your device and navigate offshore.

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Students Battle Against Lionfish Invasion ARTICLE BY KIRSTEN MESSER ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KYLIE THARP and HANDEL SIM

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Left: Kirsten Messer, Matt Hollo, Kylie Tharp, Dalton Claghorn and Handel Sim show their model of Dr. Steve Gittings’s purse trap and bucket FAD recovered from 80-feet-deep in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by Tricia Petty. Above: Native to the Indo-Pacific, the lionfish has become a significant invasive species in the West Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do.” These famous words by William Faulkner perfectly depict the personality of David Camperman, a marine biology teacher at Covenant Christian School in Panama City, Florida.

When the school year began, there was no doubt in his mind that he would go above and beyond expectations. Leading the Covenant Christian School Students Involved in Marine Systems (CCS SIMS), Camperman embarked on a mission to aid the bout against the enigmatic and elusive lionfish. The students involved were Kirsten Messer, Matt Hollo, Kylie Tharp, Handel Sim, Dalton Claghorn, Angel Elnas and Noah Odom. These students, together with Camperman, have expanded the normal classroom to research and work on eradicating the invasive lionfish species.

Since the 1980s, the spread of lionfish across the Western Atlantic, Gulf Coast and Caribbean has been staggering. Because they can live up to 16 years, lay up to two million eggs a year (which escape predation due to repellent in egg masses), and eat non-stop, the invasion has caught the attention of governmental agencies, non-profits and student groups like ours. They devour nearly any species in their vicinity, including small snapper and grouper, which could devastate the fishing industry. For these reasons, the CCS SIMS decided to join the clash against lionfish.

In the 2016–2017 school year, we devised a plan to create a prototype trap. During our research, we crossed paths with Dr. Steve Gittings, chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program, and were given the opportunity to help him test his trap designs.

These days, Dr. Gittings is on a mission to create traps that will attract and catch lionfish. His goal is to design a trap that minimizes bycatch and avoids ghost fishing, so the “purse trap” was born. This trap utilizes the lionfish’s love of structure as well as their nonresistant actions. While almost any other fish would dart away when a trap is closing around them, lionfish just stay still. Therefore, to reduce the bycatch rate, Gittings has designed a trap that is manually closed upon retrieval. It is a flat, circular trap that hinges across the center, allowing it to close like a taco. Structure, called a FAD (Fish Aggregation Device) is placed in the center instead of bait, which would quickly

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be eaten or dissolve, lowering the cost of using the trap.

The CCS SIMS took his designs to the next step and had a prototype of the trap made in a local machine shop owned by student Kylie Tharp’s family.

They made some modifications and then later decided it looked more like a taco than a purse, so it became known to them as the “taco trap.” Soon after, the CCS SIMS built a pulley system to demonstrate how the taco trap worked and took the design to the Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day in Tallahassee, Florida. While there, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation representatives also took interest in the trap, and as the conversation progressed, they told us that volunteer positions were available. We also learned that lionfish tastes delicious and many other ways people are trying to eradicate this species.

With the help of the people at Diver’s Den in Panama City, the CCS SIMS dropped the trap and Above: Student’s bucket FAD with lionfish at 80 feet. Photo: Carlos Orozco, Diver’s Den. Below: Captain JD Moore

three other FADs. The FADs consisted of five-gallon

on the Wreckreation supports a recovered bucket FAD while Kylie Tharp watches. Photo: Katie Landeck, Panama

buckets with PVC pipes projecting out of the sides,

City News Herald.

and a board shaped like the “#” symbol attached to a cinder block. These designs were to test which FAD worked the best. The taco trap was dropped 82 feet to the bottom of the Gulf, a mile offshore on May 11.

Our original plan was to wait two weeks, then retrieve the trap. However, due to weather, the trap retrieval was delayed until mid-June, bringing some bad news. When the CCS SIMS got back to it, it was gone. Whether the storms washed it away or it was caught by fishermen remains a mystery. This was discouraging, but when the other FADs were found, they stumbled upon six, fully grown lionfish hanging around the contraption. This raised excitement in the students as they found that the FADs worked.

Dr. Steve Gittings continues to modify the trap designs and work with the CCS SIMS to test more traps, FADs and other ideas he has. Looking forward, we plan to make the traps easier to use so that people in the Caribbean and other remote locations can build these traps with local materials.

Having inexpensive, simple traps will give them the opportunity to catch lionfish and provide food for the grill. This will help slow the spread of the species and

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Above: The class with their Taco Trap and Dr. Steve Gittings at the Florida Capitol. Photo: Shawn Balsters. provide another industry in places where it may be

Below: Camperman prepares for a dive on deployment day. Photo: Katie Landeck, Panama City News Herald.

needed—a win/win for everyone, except the lionfish, of course.

None of this would be possible without the guidance of our teacher, David Camperman, who brought the students together and taught us about marine life as well as the problems that surround it.

He encouraged us to go out and learn about local problems along the coast and taught us that nothing is too big to accomplish.

Editors note: Lead author of this story, Kirsten Messer, went on to be an asset at the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Lab assisting with lab analysis of Gulf fish and supporting the scientists on other adventures. The CCS SIMS students will continue to assist Dr. Gittings, as well as scientists in the Florida Panhandle, in an effort to combat lionfish and benefit fishermen.

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Taking a measurement of tagged roosterfish before releasing it back into the ocean.

Editor’s note: the scale is in centimeters, which translates into about 35 inches.

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Roosterfish

BY JESSICA HARVEY

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L

ocated on the coast of the Darien Jungle in Panama close to the border of Colombia, Tropic Star Lodge (TSL) is one of the most remote locations in the Americas.

Over 100 miles from the nearest road, the only way to access the lodge is by flying into the nearby airstrip and taking a skiff to the dock. This remoteness has left the area relatively untouched by human impacts, including the fishing. The TSL fishing grounds have produced more world records than any other place on the planet and have been the destination for over 60 Guy Harvey expeditions in the last 25 years. The most recent expedition to TSL was a preliminary investigation to track the highly prized and largely unknown habits of the roosterfish.

Above: Aerial view of the secluded Tropic Star Lodge on the southwest coast of Panama.

The roosterfish is a gorgeous, medium reef predator found on the Pacific

casts, the signature rooster comb cut the surface. The rooster bit the popper,

coast from Mexico all the way down to Peru. It’s shaped like a blunt-nose jack

turned on its side to reveal its green scales and black, bold bands and then

but is in its own unique family. Fighting one can be as difficult as catching

pulled hard and fast down the side of the rocks. Once we caught it, I was

a large billfish if you have the right tackle, and it definitely takes a skilled

able to get a closer look at the vibrant, purple-pink scales on its sides, spread

captain and crew to find them. What I also like about this type of fishing is

its beautiful comb with minute black spots and examine its sandpaper-like

that, unlike fishing for billfish, roosterfish are coastal pelagic so we find them

teeth. All the roosterfish we caught were released. They’re not a prized menu

close to shore. So while you’re waiting for the fish to bite, you can enjoy

option so the entire fishery is exclusively catch-and-release. I remember

fantastic views of waves breaking on rocky, volcanic outcrops with lush,

feeling glad to give someone else the chance to fight the fish another day.

green forests and large groups of pelicans or other seabirds flying along the

My family has had a long-standing relationship with TSL. It’s a place that

shoreline. It’s even more dramatic when the sun is shining while rain clouds

continues to inspire my father’s artwork and drive his passion in marine

water the forests in the distance. Best of all, it’s normally flat calm!

biology. For years, my brother and I would train to catch world records

I caught my first roosterfish at Tropic Star Lodge when I was about 12

from this place and, before long, we were calling it our second home. Now,

years old. I loved casting with a spinning rod. It was very different than the

working at the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), I have the chance

usual billfish fishing and kept me busy. The captain would position the boat

to work with some of the best marine scientists on incredible collaborative

close to the rocks and we would cast our poppers as close as we could to the

projects to dig deeper into marine species behavior for educational and

breaking waves and the rocks. Then we would jig them as we reeled them in

species management purposes.

so they would splash at the surface. The splash is part of the technique used to attract the roosterfish, especially when the visibility isn’t very good.

The anticipation was intense as we waited to see the strike. After a few

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Roosterfish have always been a popular angling fish, however, very little is known about them. This sustainable catch-and-release recreational fishery can be a fantastic economic driver for Central American countries and so it’s a

Above: The resort’s fleet of Bertram fishing boats.

resource worth investing in. The best type of resource management requires

we kitted out 12 angling teams with tagging kits with help from Tournament

proactive action to gather good baseline data, followed by consistent, long-

Director Eleanor Armstrong and fishing guru and summer intern Heather

term quality monitoring with community and governmental support. And

Harkavy. Each kit consisted of yellow spaghetti tags, a tag injector, tissue

that’s exactly what we set out to do on our first-ever roosterfish research expedition. Many fishermen believe roosterfish do not move far from “their rock,” but from work done on other pelagic species, we suspect they migrate farther distances than people think. Thus, our first task was to test the fishermen’s theory:

To get good analysis, researchers need to catch a lot of fish and the tournament provided the perfect opportunity to increase our fishing effort in a short space of time.

vials, measuring tape and data cards.

After the tournament briefing was given, we explained the procedure to tag a roosterfish and what data to collect. This included the standard variables such as time, date, approximate weight, fork length (mouth to tail fork length), tag number, any interesting notes

do roosterfish stay close to home all year round? Or do they migrate and

and the angler’s contact information. If a tagged fish was recaptured, we

return to “their rock” in a cyclical pattern?

could then compare the locations for where it was re-caught relative to

Given that TSL hosts an annual catch-and-release roosterfish tournament,

where it was originally caught and determine how much the fish had grown

we thought that would be the best place to start. To get good analysis,

in that time. This will be compared to findings by Dr. Sofia Ortega-Garcia

researchers need to catch a lot of fish, and the tournament provided the

and her colleagues, including Dr. Chugey Sepulveda of the Pfleger Institute

perfect opportunity to increase our fishing effort in a short space of time. So

of Environmental Research (PIER), who study roosterfish growth, age and

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Above: The author hoping her lure lands near a fish.

Below: The green flags represent each roosterfish caught—a total of 102 during the week.

Above: Getting an accurate length is critical to the research.

68 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Above: Guy (white shirt) and the crew doing the Usain Bolt.

weight-length relationship.

We also aimed to tag three bigger roosterfish (35–50 lbs.) with pop-off archival tags (PAT) to get data about their horizontal and vertical movements

recorded. At the end of the tournament, TSL gave the angler with the most tagged fish a conservation award trophy. The winning angler tagged 10 fish!

It was so much fun to be a part of this expedition and see all the green

in the water column without having to recapture them. Gray FishTag Research

roosterfish release flags flying proudly on every boat each day. Some had as

were the first group to do this in 2015, and up until 2017, they were the only

many as seven. What made it were the incredible guests we met from all over

organization studying this fish using this method. Thus, if our tags report as

the U.S. and a couple who came as far away as South Africa. Without their

scheduled, the information would be extremely valuable. PATs are a well-

support and that from the staff at TSL, this would not have been a success.

used study method to determine migration patterns of pelagic species,

The boat captains and mates were thanked with Guy Harvey merchandise, all

including billfish and sharks. As the fish’s health is of utmost priority, pop-off

of which were later given the iconic Guy Harvey signature.

tags would only be implanted on fish that were in good condition. All the

Now the wait is on for the PAT to begin reporting the travels of our

anglers were extremely excited to participate as it added another interesting

tagged roosterfish. Meanwhile, roosterfish No. 109 has already been

dimension to the tournament—not only did it give them an added purpose

recaptured close to its original location and Dr. Mahmood Shivji, director of

to their fishing, they were going to be able to track their fish over time!

the Guy Harvey Research Institute, and my father will be visiting TSL to put

Over three days, 12 boats caught 102 roosters, of which 80 were tagged.

out the remaining two PAT tags. We’re extremely excited about the long-term

Just by chance, a film crew from Big Water Adventures was filming a show

prospect of this study–not only are we starting to reveal the secret lives of

on roosterfish with host Mark Davis. His team, along with TSL fishing master

the roosterfish, but we are also discovering avenues for positive international

Captain Richard White, tagged an approximately 55-lb. roosterfish with a PAT.

collaboration in fisheries research and management.

Every evening before dinner, the data was collected from the anglers and

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70 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

GREEN GEAR Your Body, Your Boat, Your Planet

Products that are built to work and protect the oceans

BY GHM STAFF

When we have a choice of throwing an aluminum can in the trash or in the recycling bin, most us of us choose to do the right thing. It may seem like a trivial act, but we can reduce our massive production of waste one can and one plastic bottle at a time. It takes a million small acts of goodwill to add up to significant changes.

That’s the philosophy behind more and more products these days that are biodegradable and give us options that are non-toxic to the ecosystem. We’ve featured some of those products for your consideration.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 71

Stream2Sea Most of us wouldn’t think that the sunscreen we’re wearing to protect our tender skin could harm coral reefs.

However, recent articles in such publications as Time magazine, the Huffington Post and the Guardian have all reported on the dangers that toxic chemicals in some sunscreens pose to sensitive coral reefs. According the the U.S. National Park Service, between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen enter coral reef areas each year. Unfortunately, many products that are shielding our delicate pigment from UV rays also contain oxybenzone, which is highly toxic to corals. Other toxins in many sunscreens include benzophenone-2, octinoxate, parabens and some coatings used on zinc oxide to reduce whitening.

One company that has attacked the problem with a vengance is Stream2Sea, a central-Florida-based company with a wide streak of corporate responsibility and environmental consciousness. Their product line includes everything from lip balm to shampoo, which are all biodegradable and benign to the environment. But, it's their sunscreens that come in 20 SPF and 30 SPF that are helping to keep oxybenzone and its family members away from corals.

A tour of Stream2Sea’s website shows their diverse product line, but its main focus is educational—almost like taking a class in how to protect the earth’s water supply. In true keeping to the spirit of S2S’s mission, their products are also packaged in tubes made from sugar cane resin rather than petroleum-based products.

For your lesson in being eco-friendly, go to: https://stream2sea.com.

MSRP $16.95

www.stream2sea.com

Bio Green Clean After a great day of fishing, cleaning the blood and salt off of your prized boat is a priority. But keeping the water clean is as important as your shiny boat. So, using a biodegradable cleaning product is critical. That’s where Bio Green Clean comes in.

It all started when Sarah Graff, the daughter of Bio Green Clean inventor Mark Graff was cruising past dock after dock and watching soap suds spilling into the waterway. She was already selling her 100%, plant-derived cleaner for household use so she started marketing it to the marine industry.

Made with purified water, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients derived from leafy green vegetables, edible seeds and seed-bearing plants, BGC is not harmful to the water and it really works. What’s not in BGC is chlorine, ammonia, hydrofluoric acid, butoxyethanol, phosphates, sulfates, animal products, fragrances or artificial ingredients.

The company proudly claims that Bio Green Clean is the most effective, yet safest, all-natural cleaning product ever produced. That’s bold, and they back it up with a money-back guarantee.

When you clean your boat, you might as well use a product that won’t harm the waterway.

MSRP $36.95 (1 qt. Concentrate)

72 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

www.biogreenclean.com

Barnacle Zapper The very nature of bottom paint is to kill marine life. But putting poison in the water was a boater’s only choice if he or she wanted to stave off barnacles, which damage the hull and crush gas mileage. Fortunately, in the past decade, huge paint companies like Petit have introduced non-toxic bottom paints, which is super awesome. However, what if you could go barnacle-free without any paint at all? Well, that’s the idea behind the Barnacle Zapper. It’s what they call an “ultrasonic antifouling system.” What’s that, you ask? It’s a very cool way to keep plankton and barnacles off your precious boat, we answer.

The Barnacle Zapper uses 12 volts of electricity to produce ultrasonic frequencies that keep bacteria from growing so other bad boogie like zebra mussels and barnacles can’t attach and grow. Folks have been using ultrasonic technology for decades to clean everything from jewelry to medical equipment. Now, the use has spread to boats. By using a pair of transducers attached to the inside of the hull, the BZ acts like a tuning fork and transmits sound waves along the entire hull. Through the magic of science, that kills bio-film and other micro-organisms so algae and barnacles have no food source. With no food to eat, they’re not coming through your drive up window and your bottom is as smooth as a newborn babe.

Cost? Well, that’s the thing. It’s about two grand for a set that works on boats up to 30 feet. Boats between 30 and 60 feet need two systems so the price is $4,000.

Yachts more than 60 feet require three or more systems. Still, when you compare the cost of hauling the boat, sanding it, painting it and all of that, the Zapper is cost effective. Check out if it’s right for you at: https://barnaclezapper.com.

MSRP $1,999.00

www.barnaclezapper.com

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Winners Every summer, smack in the middle of July, when Orlando is sweltering hot and full of tourists from all of the world who’ve come to be amazed at DisneyWorld, EPCOT, Universal Studios and the rest, there’s also a massive fishing show. It’s called ICAST, the acronym for the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades. The show is only open for industry peeps, so if you’re in the business—say you’re a fishing guide, work in a tackle shop, make fishing lures or anything else in the fishing biz—you’re welcome to attend. And, each year, gear companies compete to win the Best of Show awards, which are voted on by ICAST members. There are many categories and we will not cover them all in these pages, however, here are four that are of particular interest.

Best Kid’s Tackle Ambition Combo by 13 Fishing Instead of just buying a little rod and reel for your junior angler in the house, you can pick up 13 Fishing’s Ambition Combo, which is made specifically for kids. Packed with custom features found on top quality, full-sized rods, these rods are affordable and as capable as other rod in the boat, but in lengths that fit your junior angler. Good job.

MSRP $60.00

www.13fishing.com

74 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Best Lifestyle Apparel Prym 1 Series by Frogg Toggs A company with a knack for catchy names, Frogg Toggs is known for their comfortable and effective waterproof outerwear. Now they’ve added form to the function, meaning they’ve injected a bit of stylishness to the line with the PRYM1.

The jackets and matching bibs come in camo patterns with colors such as Shoreline Blue, Silver Mist and Blackout. Put it like this, if James Bond wore outerwear, he’d be turning heads with these new eye-popping colors. Of course, the jackets all accept a liner system for four seasons of comfort and warmth.

MSRP $189.99 for jacket, $169.99 for bib

www.froggtoggs.com

Best Saltwater Reel Sustain C4000/5000 by Shimano Saltwater anglers know Shimano. The reels are legendary. Now they’ve completely updated their efforts with the new Sustain spinning reel. Built tough for everything from stripers to bonefish to redfish (and even small billfish and tuna), the Sustain comes in two models, both with 6.2:1 gear ratios. The 4000XG pulls in 3.9-inches per crank and the C5000HG, which has the same body size as the 4000, brings in 4.1-inches per crank.

MSRP $309.99

www.shimano.com

Best Electronics Humminbird Solix GPS by Johnson Outdoors The SOLIX 15 is the first touchscreen unit that takes fish-finding sonar to the megahertz range, resulting in the clearest, sharpest underwater views anglers have ever seen. It also includes CHIRP Digital Sonar for improved fish detail and target separation. The Cross Touch® Interface allows anglers to operate the unit via touchscreen or keypad, all while customizing the screen with four viewing panes. AutoChart Live® creates customized maps by identifying depth, bottom hardness and vegetation, the trifecta of fish-holding habitat. Finally, Bluetooth capability displays missed calls and text messages on a bright, massive 15.4“ display, Humminbird’s largest ever.

MSRP $2,999.99

www.humminbird.com

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Guy Harvey Signed Giclée Prints Guy Harvey Magazine is offering a limited collection of numbered and signed Guy Harvey giclée prints. Inquiries for these limited edition prints should contact Penny Jones at 888.275.2856 or penny@guyharveymagazine.com.

FOR SALE

Game Over Giclée Print 17” x 25” Price - $300 USD 76 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Raging Blue Giclée Print 17” x 26” Price - $300 USD

Snook & Mullet Giclée Print 20” x 22” Price - $300 USD

FOR SALE

Jumping Dolphin

Grand Illusion

Giclée Print

Giclée Print

17” x 25”

18” x 24”

Price - $300 USD

Price - $300 USD

To purchase a signed and numbered giclée print, contact Penny Jones at penny@guyharveymagazine.com or 888.275.2856. www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 77

MEET THE CHEF

SUSTAINABLE CUISINE

BY GHM STAFF

Theme park cuisine is often regarded as unimaginative, but Executive Chef Hector Colon is raising the stakes at SeaWorld Orlando inside a luxurious underwater restaurant, Sharks Underwater Grill, that’s filled with mouthwatering aromas and a jaw-dropping view. Beyond the atmosphere and ambiance, the restaurant provides an important message with each meal. Sustainable seafood is a core value at SeaWorld and serves as a source of inspiration for the culinary team. Chef Hector reveals that creativity does not stop short when conservation and preservation are incorporated into the recipe.

Chef Hector Colon | Sharks Underwater Grill

Chef Hector Colon SHARKS UNDERWATER GRILL ORLANDO, FLORIDA

For the last six years, Hector has served as the executive chef and director of Culinary Operations for SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica. He oversees all aspects of kitchen operation and menu development for all three Orlando parks. His creativity shines through with his unique fusion of flavors,

Nearly three decades ago, Executive Chef Hector Colon began his culinary

textures, and presentation that brings excitement and energy to the food served

career establishing himself as a creative and passionate chef. Hector’s culinary

in the parks. Ranging from traditional theme park cuisine, to creative twists on

experience started long before his career began. Growing up in Puerto Rico, his

classics and fine dining, Chef Hector is proud to put his personal touch on

passion for seafood and creating culinary masterpieces grew at a young age. He

every dish.

took his natural talents to the next level and pursued a culinary degree at the Culinary Institute in Clearwater, Florida. After graduation, he spent many years

At SeaWorld, Chef Hector’s passion for cooking meets his love for the sea.

developing his skills and learning from professional opportunities in Central

As an avid fisherman, he learned at a young age the importance of fishing

Florida theme parks and returned to Island life for a short time in St. John, U.S.

responsibly to reduce human impact on natural environments.

Virgin Island.

78 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Sustainable seafood is ingrained into Chef Hector’s culinary identity. In his role at SeaWorld, he can extend his commitment of only serving seafood

Grilled Salmon with Caper Butter Ingredients

sourced from sustainably managed fishers or responsibly farmed through

Salmon

aquaculture. SeaWorld avoids purchasing fish that has been caught or farmed

1 Cup Long Grain Rice

in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. Beyond what guests

2 Cups Water

will find on the menu, the promise of sustainability also applies to the fish

1 Teaspoon Salt

consumed by the animals who call the park home. All of the seafood that is

2 Tablespoons Cold Butter

delivered to the parks is sustainable and sourced through responsible fishers.

1 Tablespoon Capers Garlic Powder

Some of Chef Hector’s best creations can be found at Sharks Underwater Grill, SeaWorld Orlando’s upscale, full-service restaurant. In addition to a menu

Preparation

featuring sustainable seafood and local Florida beef, the highlight of the

1. Bring water to boil with salt, add rice and stir.

restaurant is an enormous window into the world of sharks. Serving lunch and

2. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 20 minutes. Do not lift lid.

dinner daily, Sharks Underwater Grill is the perfect place for guests to enjoy a

3. For caper butter, melt butter in skillet over medium heat.

memorable meal during their visit while watching four species of sharks and

4. Add capers and sauté for 15 seconds until capers are fragrant.

countless fish swim by their table.

Fish Preparation When Hector is not in the kitchen you will find him relaxing with his wife

1. Season the fish filets with salt & pepper.

and four children, but like most chefs, you cannot keep him out of the kitchen

2. Sear both sides in a sauté pan.

for long. He enjoys hosting family and friends for barbeques and taste testing

3. Remove and add to the vegetable stock (broth) mixture.

any new recipes he is contemplating for new dishes at the parks.

4. Cook until opaque in the stock (broth).

5. Plate with broth. www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 79

LAST CAST

HOOKED ON ROLLER COASTERS Every 10 years or so I scream like a little girl. That’s

to ride Kraken, SeaWorld’s first coaster, but one that

because someone talks me into riding a roller coaster.

now has been renovated to include a virtual reality

I guess, after a full decade, I forget all my fears. It’s

experience. I mumbled a few choice words, searched the

not that I’m scared of going fast. And I’m not scared

area for a tiki bar and flatly refused to freak myself out

of heights. I think what bothers me the most is not

again, even in the name of marine conservation. I left the

knowing why I’m afraid. Am I irrational in my paranoia?

door open for 2027.

Perhaps, considering more people are injured by tissue paper each year than roller coasters.

If you thought that SeaWorld was only a Shamu splash show, then you, like me, were sorely uninformed.

This past summer, my old vocal chords somehow emitted

I didn’t realize that the park is partly

If you thought

the high-pitched screech of a baby dolphin, as I rode Mako at SeaWorld. It was all in the line

FRED GARTH

of duty, which normally means

For the past 25 years, Fred D.

I’m fishing or scuba diving or

Garth’s articles have appeared in

generally having a pleasant

numerous books, magazines and

outdoor experience. Not this time.

newspapers around the world.

Dr. Harvey had painted the supa-

Read his blog at:

cool Mako mural next to the ride

GuyHarveyMagazine.com.

and we were there to show our

people but mostly about marine

that SeaWorld was only a Shamu

education through entertainment. The messaging, especially about sharks, is impressive. Once you enter the

splash show, then

Mako realm, at every turn there are

you, like me, were

fin soup or that 100,000 sharks are

sorely uninformed.

fin soup. The signs help to educate

signs telling people not to eat shark

killed annually, mostly to make shark

millions of visitors about threats to the

support for SeaWorld’s commitment to donate a portion

marine environment. It made me realize the company’s

of their revenues to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. I

deep commitment and history of protecting and

traded my panic for a good cause.

preserving nature.

So, as we clicked vertically toward the top of the first

Their Turtle Trek exhibit is populated with sea turtles

sheer drop-off, I began to pray that I would see my wife,

that were rescued from the wild—everything from

kids and kitty cats again. We achieved weightlessness as

net entanglements to shark bites. One of the turtles is

the shark-themed scream machine barreled downward.

missing a flipper that a shark had for a snack. They’re

We went up and back down a total of nine times and

also heavily involved in trying to solve the plastics in the

experienced weightlessness each time. By the end, I was

oceans issue, and you won’t find a plastic straw in the

hitting notes that Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey

park. In fact, the only straws in the whole park are in the

only dreamed of. I did not have to change my underwear.

restaurants and they’re made of recyclable paper.

That’s an accomplishment I plan to put on my résumé.

After the Mako adventure, they talked about going

80 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

about scaring the bejeezus out of

Sure, we all know that SeaWorld got massive backlash when the Blackfish documentary reigned

down fiery criticism upon their orca program.

But now, conservation organizations such as the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, have decided to partner with the behemoth entertainment company because of what SeaWorld does and has been doing for years, like rescuing more than 30,000 sick or injured animals.

When a company is so deeply involved in the marine ecosystem as SeaWorld is, their social responsibility becomes a no-brainer. And while the negative press hurts, the positives continue to gain momentum like, well, a freaky fast roller coaster.

I believe that if the they could have let their captive orcas go, they probably would have. But we know that marine mammals like orcas and dolphins that have been raised in human care will not survive in the wild. It’s a death sentence to send them into an unfamiliar ocean where they have to forage for themselves and try to integrate into complex societies. Those marine

Above: The Mako mural painted

mammal clicks are more harsh than high school

by Guy Harvey the weekend of the

cheerleaders.

roller coaster’s grand opening in

At the end of our tour, after a fabulous lunch

2016 is enjoyed by millions of guests

at a place called Sharks Underwater Grill, I had

each year. Left: One of the many

finally regained control of my legs and could

educational stops that can be found

speak normally again. We toured Turtle Trek,

when visiting the park. Below:

which culminated with a 3D film shown on a

Many rescued turtles who cannot

360-degree domed ceiling. Super duper cool. The

be returned to their natural habitat

seven-minute movie is shot from the perspective

make their home at Turtle Trek,

of the turtle and it took us from birth through

where they receive specialized care

adulthood. We even got scooped up in a shrimp

for the rest of their lives.

trawl and were purged by a Turtle Excluder Device (TED), that is now mandatory on shrimp nets. The adventure was so well done that I asked if I could possibly see it again. My hosts agreed, but only if I rode the Kraken. My voice still hasn’t recovered.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 81

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V I S I T

84 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

G U Y H A R V E Y S P O R T S W E A R . C O M