JUPITER, FL (NBC) -- As the early morning swells kicked up the Atlantic, something else was stirring up the sand 90 feet below the surface.

Dozens of goliath grouper have congregated off the coast of Jupiter is what has become an annual migration to mate. And one that attracts hundreds of divers.

"I have been all over the world and I have never seen as many goliath grouper in such a healthy population as they are in Florida," said diver Christopher Fernandez.

Researchers have honed in on the rare sight.

Outside of Florida you won't find many places in the world with such a large concentration of 300-pound groupers swimming right up to our cameras, sounding off their defense mechanism by slapping their gill plates together.

This also serves as a form of communication.

"Sometimes when you get close to them the sound pushes the water like a current effect or sonic boom," Fernandez said.

The once almost extinct species has been brought back thanks to conservation and protection, and for good reason.

They are not afraid of anyone, and sadly have paid the price for that.

"Its very easy to swim right up within inches, and some think the law doesn't apply to them and they can spear these fish," explained Captain Paul Benzler of Jupiter Dive Center.

It is illegal to hunt groupers and that's the reason why the state has cracked down on violators...to keep these gentle giants coming back year after year.

"It's brining tourists from all over the world...spending money in the U.S. just to see these beautiful animals," Benzler added.

****  Announcement.  We have introduced a new feature on the web site - FORUMS.  We will be using these forums to make general announcements about the club and also details for upcoming dive trips.  But more importantly, this is a place where our members and friends can interact with each other.  

One important note!!!  You must be LOGGED into the web site in order to access the forums.  If you do not already have an account on the web site, you can register on the front page.  Once you have an account, you can log onto the site.  This will give you full access to the site/forums.

We have added five sections to the forums:

The first:  General.  This is for general comments, questions, suggestions, or just discussion.  Want to talk about your latest personal dive or share photo's?  This is the place to do it.  

The second:  Club Events.  We will use the forum to talk about upcoming meetings or special events. 

The third:  Dive Trips.  We will use this to post information about upcoming club dive trips.  Feel free to come back and post your thoughts and memories from the trip afterwards.  

The forth:  Find a Buddy.  Looking for someone to dive with?  Post what your interest are or what dive you have planned.  We are all always looking for new underwater friends! 

The fifth:  For Sale/Trade:  Have something that you are wanting to sell (does not have to be scuba related)?  Or are you in the market for a new toy?  Post your ads here and see if you have any takers. 

Let me know if you have any problems or need help!

Michael 

By Ken Kaye | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

An autopsy conducted by the Broward Medical Examiner determined Stephen Wilson, 36, died from electrocution after his SCUBA tank was struck by lightning. Wilson had been diving in the Atlantic Ocean off Deerfield Beach on Sunday afternoon.

The incident took place during an afternoon of severe thunderstorms that pelted the region, from Miami to West Palm Beach, with torrential rains, strong winds and pea-sized hail.

At the time of the strike, about 3 p.m., two divers were on a 20-foot boat and two were in the water, said Deerfield Beach Fire Division Chief Gary Fernaays.When one of the divers in the water surfaced, "lighting struck his tank," Fernaays said. "He was approximately 30 feet from the boat at the time."

Wilson, a Deerfield Beach resident, went under water as the other divers attempted to rescue him. It took about 10 minutes for them to get the victim into the boat, Fernaays said. During that time, they radioed for help. Then they drove the boat toward shore and beached it in the 600 block of North Ocean Boulevard, where Deerfield Fire-Rescue already was waiting, Fernaays said.

Wilson, who had gone into cardiac arrest, was given CPR. He was taken to North Broward Medical Center in Pompano Beach, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

By Alejandra Cancino

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Saturday, July 07, 2007

The FBI is asking dive shop owners to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior or criminal activity by their customers. The bureau recently issued a national advisory.

Judy Orihuela, a spokeswoman for the FBI's Miami office, said the routine advisories are sent out occasionally "just to give heads-up in things to look out for."

Examples of what dive shops are asked to look out for include:

• Requests for special training that include diving in murky water or sewer pipes.

• Requests to learn advanced skills such as the use of re-breathers.

• Purchasing or renting Swimmer Delivery Vehicles and Diver Propulsion Vehicles.

• Paying in cash or refusing to provide personal information.

People also use re-breathers when they want to photograph marine animals.

Alan Crooks, manager of Force E Scuba Centers in Riviera Beach, said regular customers don't dive in sewer pipes. South Florida Water Management District officials might send their own divers to check sewer pipes, he said, but he has never had a customer asking to dive in one.

Murky waters could include lakes, canals or rivers, and people generally dive in them when they live in landlocked states. In Florida, people don't usually dive in canals or lakes, but it's not a rare request.

A person who wants to scrub the bottom of a boat, for example, might want to learn to dive in a canal.

Crooks said his shop receives similar advisories twice a year. He said he knows most of his customers by name and hasn't reported anyone.

But if someone wanted training to dive in sewer pipes and was not affiliated with the South Florida Water Management District, Crooks said he would contact authorities.

"Every now and then, there are people who make you raise your eyebrow," he said. "But they are just people in general."