For those who live amid the lush forests, picturesque farms and sweeping shores of Whidbey Island, world overpopulation might seem a remote worry. But with Earth’s population at 7 billion and climbing, many people wonder what number the planet can support.
Nearly 90-feet down off South Whidbey Island, diver Jon Gross meets the welcoming committee and it is not happy.
“The male lingcod is guarding a clutch of eggs from predators. This particular fish is living in an old wreck a mile off Possession Point. Only the male is on egg-guarding duty and he is very bold,” Gross said. “Lingcod will stand their ground against intruding photographers.”
If someone got up before dawn today to videotape eelgrass or net baby salmon for research, the trail leads back to Don Meehan.
