Real County Post

  • About Us
    • Hill Country Post
      • Newsletter
      • Our Lead Editor
      • Editors
      • Heroes
        • Hero Stories
        • Wall of Remembrance
    • Mission Transition
      • Related Posts
      • Website
    • Contact Us
  • News
    • Community
    • Finance
    • Food & Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Obituaries
    • Sports
  • Counties
    • Share a Local Story
      • Community Events
      • Community History
    • Bandera
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Blanco
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Edwards
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Frio
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Gillespie
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Kendall
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Kerr
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Medina
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Real
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
    • Uvalde
      • Related Stories
      • Officials & Public Places
      • Local Churches
      • Parks
      • Did You Know …
  • Local
    • Featured Businesses
    • Local Businesses
      • Agricultural
      • Business Services
      • Construction Services
      • Healthcare Providers
      • Hunting & Fishing
      • Lodging & Recreational
      • Personal Care
      • Real Estate
      • Restaurants & Markets
      • Retail & Miscellaneous
    • Shop
      • Cart 🛒
      • Checkout ⇒
  • Advertise Here
    • Submit Your Ad
  • Listings
  • Account

Survey Reveals Threats & Trends In Tarpon Fishery

Anglers and fishing guides are an essential source of knowledge when it comes to assessing the health of fish populations and identifying threats to their sustainability. By spending a significant amount of time on the water, they have a wealth of knowledge that can be used to better understand the state of a fishery. Recently, a survey conducted by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst of nearly 1,000 anglers and guides who target Atlantic tarpon revealed that the quality of the fishery has declined considerably since the 1970s.

Photo by Kelly Groce

Given that tarpon are not part of any formal stock assessment, such information is invaluable to leverage support for the development of more effective conservation and management plans for this valuable and beloved species.

Respondents also shared that they perceived water quality and habitat availability as the greatest threat to Atlantic tarpon, and that restoration efforts should be a top conservation priority. Respondents also supported regulations that prohibit harvest (such as catch-and-release only), increased science efforts to understand Atlantic tarpon ecology for conservation solutions, and spatial management, such as pole-troll zones (where high-speed motorboat travel is prohibited). Interestingly, support for conservation solutions varied between those that targeted Atlantic tarpon with spin and fly gear, with fly gear anglers showing higher support for increased regulatory oversight. This highlights the need for anglers to work together and prioritize conservation efforts for the benefit of the species and the fishery as a whole.

Another concerning trend revealed by the survey was the increasing number of shark encounters that are resulting in lost Atlantic tarpon in the Gulf of Mexico and Southeastern US. On average, guides lost 2 – 7 tarpon per year to sharks over the last five years. Specifically, encounter rates with sharks that resulted in lost tarpon were most likely in passes, where tarpon seasonally aggregate. This highlights the need for engagement with anglers regarding angler ethics, as well as additional data collection needs surrounding angler-predator interactions and research on solutions to reduce the loss of Atlantic tarpon to sharks.

As anglers, we have a responsibility to help protect and conserve Atlantic tarpon. The information provided by this survey is vital in helping us understand the threats facing tarpon and prioritize conservation efforts to safeguard the future of the iconic Silver King and the fishery it supports.

image

Related

Apr 26, 2023Hill Country Post

See the original article: https://fishgame.com/2023/04/survey-reveals-threats-trends-in-tarpon-fishery/

1 month ago Featured, Fishing, Hill Country News6
Hill Country Post
11 Deer Test Positive For CWD In LouisianaBill Supports Traditional (Lead) Tackle On Public Lands
 About Us 

A centralized state of the arts source of information for people who live, work or visit the Texas Hill Country. See About Us for more details.

 Recent News 
  • Abbott declares that Texas will install buoys to stop Rio Grande bridges. June 8, 2023
  • After an inspection reveals scant evidence of the effectiveness of child ID kits, Texas lawmakers halt money for them. June 8, 2023
  • ( Story and Video ) Adhere To The Stiff Rod Rule. June 8, 2023
  • Progress on the Turkey Banding Project June 8, 2023
 Contact Us 

Share your Hill Country stories with us. We gladly welcome community input and suggestions for articles on our website.

Phone: (210) 568-1568

Email: editor@hillcountrypost.org

Follow Us on Social Media
Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on Gab
Visitors:
2019 - 2023 © Hill Country Post | A Community-Based Initiative of the Mission Transition Foundation A 501(c)(3) Public Non-profit | Terms & Conditions | Powered by Fidelity Partners Website Designs

Make a pit stop at our Hill Country Community Shop 🛍️ Dismiss