REEF's Winter Fundraising Campaign

This magnificent photo was taken off Jupiter, FL, at one of the few locations with a known Goliath Grouper spawning aggregation site. Jupiter is the easiest area for diving the aggregation as other reported aggregations sites in FL are far off shore and deep.

There are technically 2 aggregations in Jupiter on 2 different sites, both well apart from one another. This photo was taken at the site that reportedly has the largest aggregation. It is in about 90 ft. where the Goliath aggregate around a wreck. At that depth, you don’t have a lot of time. The water there has limited visibility because of the gulf stream current and depth. And the conditions are rough.

During aggregation times, a diver can always be amazed and thrilled by the number of groupers and the size of the groupers. A Goliath Grouper can grow up to lengths of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and can weigh as much as 360 kg (790 lb).

 To show my appreciation for donors who contribute $250+ to REEF this winter, I will send you this 11' x 14" limited edition, signed print!

But as a photographer, the chances of hitting it on a day where it’s clear enough to get a good picture (like the one featured in REEF's fundraising campaign) is very rare. I’ve dove there dozens of times, and in all of those times, I’ve only had 2 days clear enough to photograph large numbers of 15 or more. Of those 2 days of good visibility, one day the groupers were shy and wouldn’t cooperate. The other day that was good was when I captured this photo and three other shots.

The aggregations only form between late August and late September, or early October at the very latest. Consequently, diving with the aggregation from the last week of August to middle of September is the best time to visit.

Best Fishes!
Paul Humann