Tarpon, Bonefish Could Become Catch-and-Release Only

A proposal by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission could make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release only.

According to the FWC, the proposal includes the following potential changes for management in state and federal waters off Florida:

• 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.
• Keeping the tarpon tag price at $50 per tag but limiting them to one tag per person, per year.
• Modifying the tarpon tag program, including reporting requirements and shifting the start and end date for when the tarpon tag is valid.
• Discontinuing the bonefish tournament exemption permit that allows tournament anglers to temporarily possess bonefish for transport to a tournament scale.

The proposal will voted on a final time by the FWC at its June meeting, a news release said.  

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