FWC could make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release only

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is moving forward on a plan to make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release-only fisheries.

If the proposal is passed at a future FWC meeting, the change will include 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.

The new rule would keep the tarpon tag price at $50 per tag but limit them to one tag per person, per year.

The proposal would also discontinue the bonefish tournament exemption permit that allows tournament anglers to temporarily possess bonefish for transport to a tournament scale.

The proposal will be brought back before the Commission for a final public hearing at its June meeting in Lakeland.

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