Groupers assisted by Guy Harvey

Well-known activist, painter and businessman Guy Harvey hosted a screening of his documentary, “The Mystery of the Grouper Moon” to a full house at the Harquail Theatre on Tuesday, 13 September. 

The event marked the first public showing of the documentary, which was shot exclusively in the Cayman Islands and depicts the plight of the Nassua Grouper, a species that has been fished nearly to extinction on reefs around the Caribbean. Known as the Icon of the Caribbean for its colourful personality and size, the grouper has been a pet of many divers, who tend to name the fish. Actually, the fish is “worth more alive than dead,” for the tourist dollars it can generate, Mr. Harvey said. 

During the evening, those on hand learned that during the last 25 years, marine parks, conservation and enforcement efforts have led to the Cayman Islands being an example to the rest of the Caribbean of how sincere efforts in this regard can be successful. As a result, the Islands still have places where Nassua Grouper gather and spawn.  

“What we have achieved in Cayman is amazing,” Mr. Harvey said.  

He was referring particularly to efforts, which included an eight-year ban on fishing for Nassau Grouper in known aggregation sites, a measure that has benefited other species in those areas, too. The Cayman Islands boast some of the richest ecosystems in the Caribbean, he said.  

The western side of Little Cayman is one area in particular where grouper aggregation occurs on full moons during between November and March. That is where Mr. Harvey and his crew of divers, assisted by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, conducted a study to tag, measure, count and place transmitters in some of the groupers to track patterns and see how the fish respond to conservation efforts.  

What researchers discovered on Little Cayman is that despite there still being a moderately healthy aggregate ritual occurring, the Nassua Grouper population is still under pressure and the species is still being fished out of season. This makes it more important to continue protecting the aggregate spots. This will ensure Nassau Grouper will be around for future generations to enjoy, he said.  

If the ban is removed, the researchers fear the Nassau Grouper could be lost forever. They have suggested a season to allow for the time and place of aggregation not to be disturbed. 

For more information on Nassau Groupers and to find out more about “The Mystery of the Grouper Moon” contact the Department of Environment at 949-8469.