Dead Black Sea Bass!

[Dan]

Before we go slamming the media (which is usually appropriate), let's review the article. I personally see nothing except reasonable conclusions drawn from the facts at hand.

LA JOLLA — A diver from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla spotted a 125-pound black sea bass floating on the ocean's surface near Scripps Pier on Tuesday morning and made the discovery public yesterday.
Researchers recovered the fish and found a hook and fishing line attached to its mouth. They believe an angler accidentally caught the sea bass and released it, and that the trauma killed it.
Fishermen are required to release black sea bass, a protected species.
There's no evidence that this particular fish was caught within the La Jolla State Marine Conservation Area, according to Scripps, which is part of the University of California San Diego.
State officials allowed Scripps to keep the sea bass for its collection of marine vertebrates. A Scripps spokesman said acquisition of a local black sea bass is rare and offers scientists an opportunity to learn more about this once-plentiful resident of the La Jolla kelp forest.

It's really sad that the fish died. I hope that the Scripps scientists can learn something from the tragedy.