The following is a letter sent by Aaron Adams, Ph.D., Operations Director for the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) to all its members. The BTT, and especially Aaron, have been instrumental in getting Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to make tarpon and bonefish catch and release. We need everyone to weigh in on this – see link below.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]t the heart of BTT’s mission is to learn enough about bonefish, tarpon, and permit so that we can apply the information to conservation and restoration of the fisheries and their habitats. For fisheries that seem to be OK now we don’t need to look far to find examples of fisheries in trouble because nobody was there to act as responsible steward. And for fisheries that are in trouble, we can’t really fix the situation until we know what’s broken. This is why we put so much effort into conservation science.
Aaron and Lefty discussing conservation issues at the last BTT Symposium.
Clement photo.
But gaining a better understanding of the biology of bonefish, tarpon, and permit isn’t enough. We also have to demonstrate to resource managers and politicians that these are fisheries worthy of attention. This is why we fund studies on the economic value of the fisheries.
So among the other news in this newsletter, two items are of special importance. On June 12, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will take a final vote on proposed rules to make tarpon and bonefish catch and release, an issue that we need you to weigh in on. And a just-released study on the economic impact of the Flats Fishery in the Florida Keys provides yet another compelling reason why these game-fish should receive such protections – the fishery’s impact in the Keys exceeds $427,000,000 per year.
We hope you enjoy news of progress, and urge you to get involved and stay involved.
Click here to let the FWC know you want them to do the right thing […]
Tight Lines,
Aaron Adams, Ph.D.
Operations Director
