I am pleased to report that our efforts toward making tarpon and bonefish catch and release in Florida took a strong step forward yesterday. A very hearty “Thank You’ to those who contacted the FWC Commissioners in support of this effort, and to those who attended the FWC Commission meeting in Tallahassee on April 17. Your comments and support made a huge difference.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), at its April 17 meeting near Tallahassee, moved forward unanimously with a proposal to make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release-only fisheries.
The tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release-only proposal includes the following potential changes for management in state and federal waters off Florida:
- Eliminating all harvest of tarpon with the exception of the harvest or possession of a single tarpon when in pursuit of an IGFA record and in conjunction with a tarpon tag.
- Keeping the tarpon tag price at $50 per tag but limiting them to one tag per person, per year.
- Modifying the tarpon tag program, including reporting requirements and shifting the start and end date for when the tarpon tag is valid.
- Requiring that tarpon remain in the water and are released near the site of capture.
- Discontinuing the bonefish tournament exemption permit that allows tournament anglers to temporarily possess bonefish for transport to a tournament scale (this brings the state in line with similar rules in the National Parks in the Keys).
The Draft Rule will be brought back before the Commission for a final vote and public hearing at its June meeting in Lakeland. This meeting will be June 11 – 13, 2013.
Thanks again for your support.
