More tropical fish sighted in R.I. water

[Anonymous]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060825/ap_ ... cal_fish_1

More tropical fish sighted in R.I. water

35 minutes ago

NEWPORT, R.I. - An unusually large number of tropical fish have been spotted this summer in Rhode Island waters by divers, fishermen and environmentalists.

Among the fish seen so far: juvenile orange filefish, snowy grouper and lookdowns. A local lobsterman pulled up a large trigger fish in one of his traps.

"We're always catching tropicals during the summer months, but I mean there are a lot more. Probably about double the amount," Jean Bambara, an aquarist at Save the Bay's Exploration Center in Newport, told The Providence Journal.

The fish being seen are normally found in the warm waters off the southern states, just like the Portuguese men-of-war that invaded southern New England waters earlier in the summer and the manatee that was spotted this week in Warwick and North Kingstown.

Scientists said a change in the pattern of the Gulf Stream is likely a major reason for the number of warm-water visitors this summer. The Gulf Stream moves north from Florida along the East Coast before turning east toward Europe. Scientists say the turn is usually south of Delaware, but this year it's a more north than usual.

John Torgan, baykeeper with Save the Bay, said the average water temperature of Narragansett Bay has increased three degrees over the past few decades. He said this could cause cold-water species like cod and haddock to move further north and warm-water fish to move in.

"What's different is we've seen warmer water and we're seeing an increased sighting of these rare or accidental species in Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound," Torgan said.

 

[Anonymous]

Global warming conspiracy theories gone amuck. BTW, where is smiley?

 

[Anonymous]

I was in Newport in June. It was pretty cold.

 

[Anonymous]

maybe all of those fish are reproducing at a better rate because they are all eating the reefs down south.

 

[Anonymous]

Evolution.

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe we can get some Marlin off of the Jersey Shore so I can catch some.

 

[Anonymous]

Funny this should be brought up. I was just heading to RI tomorrow to do some diving and see what I can collect. I've never seen lookdowns but I have seen tangs, damsels, groupers, triggers, filefish, butterflies (probably more of these than anything else), boxfish and soldierfish.

If anyone wants to meet me there, I'm game. Looks like I will have to dive all by myself...again.

 

[Anonymous]

If it's warmer in the east coast waters, does that mean more hurricanes for New England?

 

[Anonymous]

If it's warmer in the east coast waters, does that mean more hurricanes for New England?

Higher water temps do not affect hurricane frequency, but it can result in higher hurricane intensity.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm curious if these fish are off the coast of another state are there restrictions to their collection? Or are they under Federal F&WL protection?

 

[Anonymous]

They're all going to die as soon as the fall sets in. I don't believe there any regs regarding these particular types in RI, CT, or anywhere else up in this area.

Local aquariums are always going out there collecting for their own exhibits. While one of the triggers I caught was the size of a dinner plate, the majority of these fish are no larger than my thumbnail.

No one wants to go for a little dive tomorrow? The fish don't usually venture past 12 or so feet cause of the temperature. Great access to the water too and a protected cove. Nice diving there.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I went today. I saw a bunch but I was only able to catch 8 assorted damsels and some butterflies. I saw a grouper and spent 20 minutes on the damn thing but it was pretty big and the bigger ones got more smarts. They won't let anything near them.

A few different people in different groups saw a lion fish, but where must have been some national secret cause no one would tell me where they saw it...only that they did. That sucked.

I'd like to try and go again but I don't know if I will have the time. Such a shame all those little buggers are going to die. If only I could reason with them they could all jump in my nets and go home with me.

 

[Anonymous]

UUUUMMMM! Yum Yum! Soon we'll have fresh grouper in NY!!!!