Giant (Black) Sea Bass

The largest member of the Bass family (Serranidae) this fish is known to live nearly 100 years. Its habitat ranges from Humboldt Bay in Northern California to the Gulf of California in Mexico and prefers depths shallower than 100 feet and frequently visits kelp beds to feed. They can grow to seven feet in length and weigh more than 500 pounds. The giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas) is an apex predator, highly prized by anglers and spear fishermen until the late 1970's when it was nearly fished to extinction and later became protected by California Fish and Game. Since it is no longer legal to take black sea bass they have made a significant comeback in California waters, so much so they are now frequently seen by scuba divers.

A recent expedition to the Channel Islands provided a group of divers with a special thrill. These divers swam into a region that appeared to be a congregation area for a number of black sea bass that were as large as 200 pounds. The fish seemed to take up residence under a series of ledges that paralled the shore at a depth of some
80 ft.

They were seemingly unafraid but wary of the diver's presence. From time to time they exhibited a behavior where on would chase another's tail in a circular motion. Other times when a diver was approaching one, another black sea bass would take up position behind the diver. Whether they were simply curious or somehow in position to offer protection from the diver is anybody's guess and speculation. After hanging around the area during three consecutive dives, they drifted off into the blue.

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