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Red Grouper Record Shattered

A 49-year-old Kingsland man landed a record-breaking red grouper (Epinephelus morio) off the Georgia coast Oct. 4, 2021, and has been certified as the new state record holder for that species. Bruce C. Bartlett Jr. of Henrietta Drive caught the 26-pound, 6.4-ounce red grouper measuring 34.5 inches east of Navy Tower R4 aboard his boat Fishslaya Duece. The fish breaks the previous record of 19 pounds, 7 ounces set by John Wren in 2012. Doug Haymans, director of DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, which oversees the state’s Saltwater Gamefish Record Program, said Bartlett’s catch is a credit to the years of experience he has as an angler. “This achievement recognizes not only the size of the catch, but Mr. Bartlett’s skill as an angler and the sportsmanship displayed in Bartlett with his record-setting red grouper, that weighed in at 26 pounds, 6.4 ounces. landing a record-setting gamefish,” Haymans said. Bartlett landed the red grouper using a 5-foot, 8-inch Ugly Stik Tiger rod with Shimano Torium reel with 65-pound Power Pro line using a live cigar minnow as bait. His terminal rig was a fish finder sinker slide with an 8-ounce bank sinker to a 100-pound barrel swivel, following by a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader and 6/0 Eagle Claw circle hook.

The catch was weighed at M & A Seafood Market on North Lee Street in Kingsland on scales certified by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The Saltwater Gamefish Records Committee, comprised of DNR marine biologists and staff, approved the new record Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.

Bartlett will receive a certificate signed by Gov. Brian Kemp acknowledging his record catch, and the record will be added to the list published at CoastalGaDNR.org/ SaltwaterRecords. It will also be included in the 2022 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations guidebook.

Reminder: Right Whales Arriving Soon

Right whales will begin arriving in our coastal waters in the coming weeks. Please remember to watch for them.

Mariners operating in the coastal waters of the southeastern United States in winter should instruct all watches to look for right whales. Right whales will appear as black objects in the water and may just barely clear the surface. Look for a "V" shaped spout created when the whales breathe. At night and during other periods of reduced visibility, vessel operators should use the slowest safe speed to reduce the risk of collisions with rights whales.

If you should see a right whale, slow your vessel and take measures to avoid it. Do not assume the whale will move from your path. Record the latitude and longitude, LORAN coordinates, or identify the location of the whale with regard to buoys. Note the direction of the whales travel. Notify authorities and other ships in the area immediately. In Georgia, call 800-272-8363 (1-800-2-SAVE-ME).

Georgia is offering a helping hand to projects that help people experience the animals, plants and natural habitats emphasized in Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan. The opportunity comes by way of the state Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Viewing Grants Program. The agency is now accepting proposals for 2022. New this year, applicants will file online at georgiawildlife.com/ WildlifeViewingGrants. The deadline to apply is Jan. 7, 2022. The grants are capped at $3,000 per project and supported through the Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund, which is managed by DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section.

Wildlife Conservation Section Chief Dr. Jon Ambrose said the goal is to provide viewing opportunities that raise awareness of native animals not fished for or hunted, rare native plants and natural habitats – particularly those considered conservation priorities in the Wildlife Action Plan. This comprehensive strategy (georgiawildlife.com/ WildlifeActionPlan) is focused on conserving Georgia wildlife and their habitats before these plants, animals and places become rarer and costly to conserve or restore.

The six projects approved last year varied from building viewing platforms along nature trails at historic Prater’s Mill in Whitfield County to helping the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation replace and upgrade a boardwalk in the Tifton school’s nature study area, which is open to the public.

Although the grants are small, the interest they tap is big. About 2.4 million people took part in wildlife-viewing activities in Georgia in 2011, spending related spending estimated at $1.8 billion, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey.

Grant proposals can include facilities, improvements and other initiatives that provide opportunities for the public to observe nongame animals, plants and natural habitats. Notification of awards will be made by Feb. 23, 2022. Visit georgiawildlife. com/WildlifeViewingGrants to learn more and submit proposals.

Student Fish Art Contest

Go Draw a Fish! Youth have the opportunity to win prizes and recognition while learning about fish species, behaviors, aquatic habitats and conservation. Using art and writing, the Georgia Fish Art Contest (part of the international Wildlife Forever Fish Art® Contest) can ignite children’s imagination and inspire them to discover more about fish and fishing.

This year, if a child wishes to enter the International Fish Art Contest, they can choose any fish species. To enter, youth in kindergarten through grade 12 can create an original illustration of their chosen fish species and a one-page creative written essay. However, there also are many additional specialty award categories for 2022, including the Guy Harvey Award, the IGFA Conservation Award and the Go Fish Georgia Award. These additional contest opportunities may have different species and/or entry requirements. For example, the Go Fish Georgia Award celebrates fish species found in Georgia which are commonly sought by anglers. Contestants entering the international competition may also choose to apply for one or more specialty awards. Essays for kindergarten through third grade, or for countries outside the US, will be judged and awarded – but not required. More info about award categories and all requirement details found at www.fishart.org.

Participating educators will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a free guided field trip at the Go Fish Education Center (www.gofisheducationcenter.com) for one class.

All Georgia contestants must complete the Georgia-specific entry form (www. wildlifeforever.org/georgia-entry-forms). Entries are due by Mar. 31, 2022 and can be submitted digitally or by mail to Marion Baker/Go Fish Education Center (1255 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069). BLACKBIRD CHARTER CO.

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