Lemon Sharks in Florida

So every year around the month of February in Jupiter, Florida divers from all round go diving to see the lemon sharks. During this period the lemon sharks come in to mate and check out divers. The lemon sharks can reach lengths 7 to 10 feet and weighing in at 400 lbs or more. On Feb 4th, Matt, Brendal, Alex, and I had to go see this for ourselves. We called up Jupiter Dive Center and away we went on the quest to see lemon sharks. To our surprise not just Lemon Sharks but Nurse Sharks and Goliath Groupers as well!!! Its amazing to see all these large animals because it seems like because of fishing pressures the larger apex predators are slowly being wiped out.

What is so great about divers is they want to see these creatures underwater…ALIVE. So a lot of people in South Florida have rallied together to push a Ban on the fishing for Lemon Sharks. The main point is….sharks are worth more alive than dead. Tons of people from all over will come to Florida to do the dives with the lemon sharks. One lemon shark alive can bring in thousands of tourist dollars where as when one is killed thats it one profit of a few hundred  dollars. Also don’t forget that this creature is an apex predator which is vital to our world’s ocean food chain…one break in the link means distruction of other creatures…and YES Man included!

So on Feb 18, 2010 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the ban of fishing both commerical and recreational of the Lemon Sharks!!! The ban goes into affect March 23, 2010. But this not the end…lets rally together to get Hammerhead Sharks on this same path!!!!

Here are some ways to help…

1. Attend FWC workshops and commission meetings

2. Provide Scientific Research, check out what R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program is up too!

3. Stay informed and get involved…join Shark Safe Network and Shark Savers!

4. If you fish for sharks please support the 100% catch and release campaign…don’t support the take of sharks for shark fishing tournaments…make your local marina a 100% catch and release marina…check out Oceanic Defense for the information!