[dropcap]A[/dropcap]nother Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is in the books and the results are in. It is pretty astounding that in this day and age we still have kill tournaments, at all. I frequently fish in Montauk, NY which hosts multiple shark tournaments that require the killing of sharks. These kill tournaments are alive and well all over the eastern seaboard and the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is perhaps the crown jewel of them all. Billed as “the oldest fishing tournament in the United States,” it is steeped in tradition. This Louisiana tournament has gone on for ages (1928 was the first) and is still extremely well attended by enthusiastic participants ready and willing to purposely slaughter an inedible, sexually mature female fish for the sake of a photograph with a trophy and bragging rights. This years tournament featured the deaths of female breeder tarpon from 175 pounds 4 ounces right on down to under 100 pounds. Never mind that we have a incredible chart and even an app that will tell a tarpon’s accurate weight with a few simple measurements. For more on this development read Jerry Ault’s (BTT) paper on the subject. Using algorithms and his vast knowledge of tarpon and marine biology, Jerry developed the chart and the computerized tarpon weight calculator located on the BTT site.
While this photo is obviously from the early days, it is amazing that this still happens today. Those are females.
What is astounding is that these people love tarpon fishing, yet are content to persist with these kill tournaments. This is despite scientists like Jerry Ault and many others urging for the cautious and careful catch and release of these valuable wild animals. Maybe it is just handed down from generation to generation.
Jerry Ault’s tarpon weight conversion chart.
If you see your father and grandfather kill tarpon, then it just seems fine to keep doing it. I have to think that pride (excessive) plays a large part. A lot of folks feel that they do not need some scientist from out of state to tell them how to run their fishery, never mind that these fish migrate thousands of miles every year and their well being or lack thereof is felt in dozens of countries and multiple continents. The difficult component of their migration is the fact that these fish are subjected to all different state and federal laws, or lack thereof, as they migrate across invisible lines that mark where one country or state’s waters begin and end. Some countries have third world living conditions and hunger problems that tempt locals into harvesting these fish in an attempt to make them palatable enough to provide nourishment. Louisiana would not fall into this category. As well, Louisiana is privy to some of the best tasting fish species on earth, most of which are very accessible to recreational anglers and those seeking to purchase fresh fish from a commercial vendor.
Photo by David Gulden.
On the Tarpon Rodeo site’s slideshow is a beautiful aerial photograph of a tarpon jumping gloriously. Within the photo are the words of Terry Gibson, “They jump, they crash, they break tackle and bones. Tarpon possess the muscle and mass to defeat you in several different ways. Of course, that is precisely why we love them.” Beautiful words indeed but when quoted by the administrators of a tournament that condones the killing of these beautiful animals, it rings hollow, to say the least. Let’s show these beautiful creatures the love, respect and integrity they deserve. With the combined use of Ault’s chart, digital photography, sworn affidavits and witnesses, these tournaments can still exist and the tarpon can too…
If you would like to learn more about saving tarpon, be sure to visit the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust site as well as the Save the Tarpon site.
