Nassau Grouper near Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
I think when most people think of fish, other than as a food source, they think of them an animal that is nice to watch, but hard to interact with. I suppose that is to be expected as most people don’t go underwater.
But divers know that groupers can often behave quite similar to dogs underwater. They like to be scratched under the chin, will take to moderate ‘cuddling’, and will even follow you around in a playful manner. There are quite a few dive masters that have developed special relationships with many of these fish as they bring people to the same sites over and over.
The fish pictured here are Nassau Groupers, which have had their population decline by more than 60% over the last 30 years due to overfishing. That places them in endangered status on the IUCN Red List and believed to be still declining. They are currently a candidate for listing in the US Endangered Species Act. They were placed as a candidate in 2012, and perhaps will be reviewed yet this year if the listing will take place.
There has been a complete fishing ban on these groupers in US Federal Waters since 1990. Enforcement of restrictions on fishing in other regions such as the Bahamas and Mexico is a concern. Overfishing isn’t their only threat – there are significant impacts due to habitat losses. From the IUCN site:
Suitable habitat for the Nassau grouper is also likely to be in decline. Of the estimated 20,000 km² of coral reef in the Caribbean, 29% is estimated to be under high risk of degradation from human activities, 32% is at medium risk and 39% is at low risk (Bryantet al. 1998). Although the Nassau grouper also inhabits rocky reefs, these are unlikely to be able to compensate for the loss of quality coral reef habitat.
Nassau Grouper swimming along reef structures, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
I believe change of perception can be key in how any of us interacts with another species and our regard for them. I find it hard to believe anyone could pet, interact, and play with one of these guys underwater and then regard them as nothing but dinner. Being able to interact with these fish underwater is certainly a privilege experienced by a limited subset of the population. I wish there were a way to bring that to so many others other than writing about it, and of course, Nassau Grouper are only one of the many that have a need here.
If you have read this, perhaps you will have different insight the next time you walk into a restaurant and see grouper on the menu. Regulations are only one end of protecting a species, public knowledge and self enforcement is another end.
Great post! As someone born and raised diving in Miami and the Bahamas, the decline of fish and shells makes me sad 🙁 But I have faith, if we limit fishing to cast-and-reel only, and off the reefs. Easier said than done though.
Thanks for the comments Matt. It makes me sad also. Decades of viewing the ocean as this unlimited resource has caused this, and I am afraid that the growing population will only spur more and more high volume, commercialized operations.
Both fine fishy images. Like Bernie, I’ll leave the image-making under water to you – it’s hard enough when you just have air to contend with! I’d like making friends with a grouper, though.
You just need a taste of u/w macro Tom! 🙂 Thanks.
That would be cool to be able to tickle a fish on the chin. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Mark, I can’t even imagine shooting underwater, I can’t even do it on dry land half the time !!
Bernie, trust me, sometimes I can’t either. 🙂
This sea dog seems a bit intimidating to me. I’m not sure I would want to get close enough to scratch him or her under the chin, or even as close as you are in the photo, but if he acts more friendly than he looks, then maybe. Sure has beautiful colors, though not as cute as Dolphins to swim with, not that I especially look for ‘cute’ in fish, but this one is a nice catch in pixels.
Trust me David, it is an interesting experience! I have never known a grouper to harm a human, they are quite curious. Thank you for visiting and leaving your feedback!
Ken, Howard, Monte – I think this post did what I wanted it to do… and that is perhaps let people know a little more about groupers than they did before.
Monte – I would say without our technology, we are not so much at the top when it comes to the sea. However, I think the residents of our oceans have a lot more to fear from us than we do from them.
I did not know that, Mark. As I’m not a diver, there is much about the ocean I know little of. My knowledge of the grouper is what I’ve found on menus, which is sad on my part. It is posts like this that help inform me and offering me that insight. I personally struggle with our appetite for food and products so much as we endanger so many species. Are we really at the top of the food chain or is that a marketing opinion?
Great post. Didn’t know any of that!
Interesting post, Mark. I will never find myself face-to-face with a grouper (or any fish for that matter) so it’s a new perspective for me. I’m not inclined to order fish off of any menu either. But I love the photos and I could watch fish in an aquarium and enjoy their natural beauty for a very long time.