Sunday, March 22, 2009

Large dead Queensland Groper

On Saturday 21 March 2009 Tim Connolly, Sara Dobson and myself went for a Kayak/walk at Ella Bay (North of the creek mouth) and we found the remains of a large Queensland Groper Epinephelus lanceolatus.
Here's photographs of this fish.
Its lower jaw had been damaged perhaps by someone removing a fish hook. It was concealed in the sand with only its head/spine visible.

Nearby at the creek/lagoon there was sign of recent fishing activity however this is not relevant as the carcass is well over a week old. As you are aware this species is a no take protected marine species so its death could be of interest to you and that is the reason for this email.

I am also aware that Queensland Gropers have been dying in this region due to a bacterial infection so perhaps this may be the cause of death though this would not explain the damage to the fish’s lower jaw.

Here's a relevant article from the Cairns Post regarding this matter.
The death of any protected marine species is significant especially within such an environmentally sensitive area. I hope this information is of some use. If you require further details or higher resolution photographs please feel free to contact me.

2 comments:

  1. Wow! That's a really large fish. So sad to hear about how it might have come to its untimely end.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marine Wildlife Australia will be at the Bluesfest in Byron Bay from the 9th of April, campaigning to have Ella Bay and her precious cargo protected forever. If you are around, pop in and say hello!

    Blanche Danastas
    Program Manager
    Marine Wildlife Australia
    blanche@marinewildlife.org.au
    0439 89 66 97

    ReplyDelete

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