Sex in the sea: Uncovering the mating behavior of Giant Sea Bass

Used to think I'd be an ichthyologist. Living vicariously through you instead :) Let me know if you'd like an intro at AMNH.

Bah! Sorry this was last minute! But I made the deadline! Good luck! So proud of you dude! Rachelle

Oooooohh kill em!

Good luck! Can't wait to hear about the sounds they're making!

Look at you all grown up and doing amazing things! Good luck!!

You got me to where I wanted to be, and I hope I helped you out, even if it's a little bit. Thank you for everything, it will never be forgotten, Your Friend Pete P.S. Long live sex in the sea!

Hoping the weather is cooperative when you are in the field. Are there any Giant Sea Bass in Aquariums? Best, Joe

Hey JR, So awesome to see that you're doing something so wonderful! This is definitely an inspiration! Good luck with everything and I can't wait to see the results! Pearl

Good luck, JR. Sounds like a great project. I'm very proud of you!! Tim

I'm so so proud of you and am so excited for you to get this project rolling! <3

Good look Brian!

Good Luck!

Good luck Brian! I hope my ideas help you get to your goal. I love Bird Rock at Catalina.

Best of luck JR in your research! Nelly is saying hi to you (you were her swimming coach at the Boys and Girls club). Hope all is well with you.

Good luck Brian..

Great work, JR! Keep it up. -Andrew

Yeahhhh seabass sex!

Good luck, Jer!

Good luck, David! Wish it was more, but maybe someday. Best, Kim (@kikacol on Twitter)

Good luck bro!!! Wish you the best. Ed

Wishing you success in further studies of this magnificent species! Sering them underwater is one of the greatest SoCal diving experiences.

Good luck not just on this project, but in grad school :)

Learned about this project from an email posting from Divebums in San Diego. Super interesting. Good luck!

Good Luck!!

Good luck, Skylar Veis

Great Job! We are proud of you! Mark & Jeanie Meeks

Good luck

Contact me if you need any engineering support. I have helped Ed Parnell. phil@mesolutionshome.com

Best of Luck JR!!!!

The numbers of GBS have increased a lot over the past three decades. I didn't see any for years, but now I have seen them on all the Channel Islands. It will be interested to see what you learn about how they use sound since I often grunt under water to get them to come check me out.

Continued good luck raising funds for this critical study!

Hi JR, When did you become Brian? Hey, we are very impressed; good luck with your research! Carol

Hello. I am a terrestrial consulting biologist who conducts surveys primarily for special status bird and butterfly species in Southern California. I also shoot underwater photos, and my absolute favorite species to photograph in Southern California is the giant sea bass. I've contributed to your research fund because I have many questions myself about this species. What triggers GSB to move into the shallows and into what I call "breeding aggregations"? I find them there during daylight hours, but what to they do at night? Off foraging? Why were so many of the GSB I saw last season around Long Point so torn up? Do they get into the squid nets at night and are damaged before and during their release? Is there any movement between seemingly separate "breeding aggregations" along the Catalina coast during a single season? Where can i go to find "breeding aggregations" where fish aren't harassed by well-meaning divers who don't understand fish behavior and end up chasing the GSB around? Where can i find small juveniles to photograph? As you can see, I'm really interested in GSB, and it will be fun to follow your research into my favorite species!

Hey JR! I'm proud of you and I have the utmost confidence that you will find something spectacular! Keep working hard.

This is excellent. Good luck in your research and your studies!

I am beginning to look for funding to get my own research funded and this is a spectacular idea. Way to go and good luck!

Miss your face! Good Luck!

Good luck! :)

Good Luck Bro

Good Luck JR.. I am so proud of you and I can't wait to see the outcome of your research. Good Luck!

Great video - enjoyed it, hope you get all the help you need.

Good luck for your project!

I'm jealous that you'll be out at sea. Don't get eaten!

I hope you get to your funding level -- I used to catch much smaller largemouth bass. I must admit that my primary motivation is so that these become abundant again, so that I can catch the largest bass I've ever seen :-)

Yeeeeeeeeeh Buddyyyyyyyy

Good luck with your thesis!

GOOD LUCK JR!!! That is a great video, and what a cool experiment!! Lots of love, Michelle Duds

Good luck! I hope your project works. Your findings could be amazing

Good luck!

Good luck! Your video is awesome.

Good luck dude! -Jim

Love the video. Maybe I should have you produce one for my shark research...... =) Great job and best of luck!

Hey Brian, Jim sent me. He said you were a dedicated person and would do anything for your studies and results. As a SF State Alum and your Senior, I am hoping you are successful in your endeavors. Good luck and have fun. Jims Friend, Bart