The
Nassau Grouper, considered to be the "national
fish" of The Bahamas, is normally solitary.
However at certain locations and at certain
times of the year, divers in The Bahamas
can swim with immense schools of these fish
as they spawn.
magine
a wall of groupers, so densely packed that
it is difficult to see the reef on the other
side. Or, picture lines of marching lobsters.
Neither of these events is easily seen by the
casual visitor to The Bahamas, as they occur
at specific times and in specific places. Yet,
they are more common here than in any other
place in the world and they are an indication
of the excellent state of underwater affairs.
Currently monitored and protected by a number
of governmental and private organizations,
there is every reason to be optimistic about
the future of The Bahamas-marine environment.
Groupers
in the Bahamas Groupers
are among the larger fish well known to divers
throughout The Bahamas-and by far the best
known and most often encountered is the Nassau
Grouper, the "national fish" of
The Bahamas. These fish are usually solitary
creatures, and little is known about their
reproductive habits. However, on occasion
when spawning, they will gather in great
schools. In The Bahamas, grouper spawns have
been observed off Andros, Long Island, Cat
Cay and in the Berry Islands. Estimates reported
off Cat Cay indicate that somewhere between
30,000 and 100,000 groupers took part in
a recent spawning there. Grouper spawning
is timed with a full moon and usually occurs
in late January or early February. At that
time, shoals, balls and walls of groupers
can be witnessed.
March
of the Spiny Lobster.
The
Spiny Lobster The "March
of Spiny Lobster" is a widespread
phenomenon, occurring on both the Great
and Little Bahamas Banks. It was first
scientifically investigated and photographed
in the early 1970s. As with groupers, lobsters
are often found solitary on the reef; occasionally
dozens will pack underneath a ledge.
A lobster march occurs when a mass of young adult lobsters gathers on
the banks. The march is triggered by the first autumnal storms that reach
The Bahamas from the north and west in late October or early November.
Agitated by the storms, hundreds of lobsters, which have been gathering
beneath ledges and overhangs, will begin to march across the shallow
bank, into deeper water. When the water returns to crystal clear, chains
of lobsters marching in single file can be observed in water as shallow
as 15 feet. In this supposedly defensive position, with each lobster's
vulnerable soft parts protected by the lobster behind, they become fearless:
If a diver lies down on the sand in front of them, they will march over
him. If the leader is removed from the chain, the next lobster in line
will assume command.
In
the past, grouper spawns and lobster marches have reached incredible
proportions. However, commercial fishermen have taken advantage
of these gatherings, racking up tremendous catches. Pioneered
by the Bahamas National Trust (the government organization in
charge of land parks and reserves that evolved into the Bahamas
Marine Trust), several important areas of the archipelago are
now under protection. The primary areas under their jurisdiction,
and already well established, are the Exumas Land and Sea Park
and the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park.
A
squadron of Eagle Rays.
Other
governmental organizations, such as National
Fisheries, and private organizations, such
as the Bahamas Reef Environment and Educational
Foundation (BREEF), have been instrumental
in promoting and establishing additional
protection measures and boundaries throughout
The Bahamas. Proposed protection areas include
the southwestern reefs of New Providence
Island, the Abaco Marine Park, Walker's Cay
and the Biminis. Since the first marine parks
were established, it is possible to see the
numbers of groupers, lobsters and all forms
of marine life increasing therein. The banks
of The Bahamas are great marine nurseries,
and with protection and conservation, they
will remain a great natural environment.
magine
a wall of groupers, so densely packed that
it is difficult to see the reef on the other
side. Or, picture lines of marching lobsters.
Neither of these events is easily seen by the
casual visitor to The Bahamas, as they occur
at specific times and in specific places. Yet,
they are more common here than in any other
place in the world and they are an indication
of the excellent state of underwater affairs.
Currently monitored and protected by a number
of governmental and private organizations,
there is every reason to be optimistic about
the future of The Bahamas-marine environment.
