Tarpon and bonefish to become catch and release only fisheries

Tarpon and bonefish will soon be catch-and-release-only fisheries in Florida state waters.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the move last week – the rule will take effect on September the 1^st.

This catch-and-release proposal was adopted because the FWC says that the economic and fishing value of bonefish and tarpon greatly exceed their value as food fishes.

When the new rule takes effect all harvest of tarpon will be eliminated, 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.

Tarpon tags will be limited to one per person, per year except for charter boat captains.

There will also be a one fish per vessel limit for tarpon and gear used for tarpon will be limited to hook-and-line only.

People will be allowed to temporarily possess a tarpon for photography, measurement of length and girth and scientific sampling, with the stipulation that tarpon more than 40 inches must remain in the water.

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