I don't know if I have any sentiment to this issue that hasn't already been expressed, but one reason Black Sea Bass and Gulf Grouper are listed on the endangered species list is most notably because of their very limited natural range. However, within that range, both species have been rebounding back toward their historical population densities.
Also, regarding the management of Black Sea Bass- California has had a no posession law regarding these fish for over 40 years, and because of the population rebound, this law is being reviewed to be possibly eased up in the near future.
As Stewart mentioned- large Blacks are typically dead from decompression when they hit the surface. Smaller ones can usually be vented and returned to swin back down. What a waste to have to leave the large ones to float there and feed the sharks out of fear of being fined or facing jail time... Stupid, stupid, stupid. I consider Mexican law regarding this species to be superior to American law for the simple fact that at least you don't have to intentionally waste the catch.
I remember reading a post on BloodyDecks a couple years back where someone called Ric F. out about keeping several large grouper, and Ric gave what I consider to be the most rationally justified reply any person could give: he keeps only his legal limit, and he consumes every fish he takes. No Sportsman with that ethic will ever deplete a species. I fully agree with Stuart that killing a fish merely for the dockside photo is ugly and unnecessary, but using your kill responsibly should never make you a target of the "morality police".
I could see the logic in maybe doing modified bag limits on grouper so that the 5 fish limit should also maintain a size distribution, like one fish larger than 40 inches, 3 between 20 and 40, and one below 20, similar to a slot limit like a lot of states have on freshwater species.
If we want to talk about truly endengered species, then let's talk about Dorado and Bluefin Tuna; two species that are in REAL trouble, because they both have global ranges and are disappearing world wide due to commercial over exploitation. Let's talk about Totoaba and their spawning grounds being chewed up by shrimp trawlers and the lack of flow from the Colorado river. Heck, let's talk about the drastically lower number of California yellowtail in Mexican waters.
In short, let's talk about the difference between utilization of a resource, and exploitation of that resource. My personal opinion is that Grouper are not being taken to the point of exploitation.
I find it infinitley more ugly that the crews on the San Diego Tuna boats actually get pissed at fishermen who pay their boat fees, hook and fight a fish, and then wave off the gaff and let the fish go. To them, the daily fish count is more important than the wishes of the fisherman who paid his way to be out there enjoying his sport. My last trip out last Sept I had the hot stick and was bit 2 or 3 times on every spot- so once I had my 5 fish limit (we were in Mexican waters) I started releasing my fish as I got them to the boat, and the deck hands were fuming that I was not decking the fish and putting them on someone else's ticket number so they could load the daily boat count...
