How you can help spotted black grouper
Fishers and divers should familiarize themselves with the identification of protected marine fishes. If you are a spearfisher do not spear any grouper you can not positively identify.
Spotted black groupers may suffer internal damage from hooks and over-expansion of their swim bladder if caught by accident. Handle the fish carefully, keeping it in the water if possible; carefully remove the hook or cut the trace if it is deeply hooked; if possible use a small hook through the lip or a fin and weighted line to drop the fish back to the bottom if its swim bladder has blown.
As very little is known of the biology of spotted black grouper dead specimens are of considerable scientific value. Should you inadvertently kill a spotted black grouper please notify the Department of Conservation immediately. You may be requested to return the specimen to shore if this is practical. Useful information to provide with the specimen includes the location and depth that the fish was taken in.
Do not discard plastics, nylon fishing line and other types of rubbish at sea. Like whales, large filter-feeding sharks and rays can accidentally ingest these, and all species suffer from entanglement in marine debris.
Contact
Please report details of sightings or captures to the Department of Conservation's Marine Conservation Section (sharks@doc.govt.nz) or to 0800 DOCHOT line (0800 362 468).
Contacts
Phone 0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468) 24 hour emergency number to report:
Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings