Florida bonefish and permit need your help!

[Editor]

This is a dedicated thread for discussing article: Florida bonefish and permit need your help!

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Everyone,

I have followed the passing of catch and release in Belize. The problem that they had in Belize was the local population was catching Tarpon and Bones fish for food. It still remains to see if the new rules make any difference to how many are killed. The Sport Fly Fisher always release their fish so the law won't bother them.

Here in Florida Bones, Tarpon, Snook and Permit should all be under a no kill law. I don't think we have as many people killing fish as they did in Belize. Never the less the Keys and and Everglades have some terrific fishing and those fish need to be protected. There are some who keep what ever they catch. A guide who makes his living from these fish will normally not allow a fish to be killed.

While they are at it why not eliminate the Tournaments held for these fish. Tournament fishing puts a lot of fishers in a concentrated area and that can't be good for the fish.

Frank

[Editor]

Originally Posted by Frank Whiton

While they are at it why not eliminate the Tournaments held for these fish. Tournament fishing puts a lot of fishers in a concentrated area and that can't be good for the fish.

Frank

Controversial Frank!

A great point to raise though. I wonder if any mortality studies have been carried out post-tournament and whether any of the income generated by the major tournament series is ploughed back into protecting the species through organisations such as BTT?

[MoscaPescador]

The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust will have its first video series air on ESPN2/ESPN Outdoors in January. It's called Pirates of the Flats. If it is anything like the YouTube teaser, I'll buy the DVD. I'm sure that the proceeds will go to BTT's efforts.

YouTube - Pirates of the Flats Trailer

YouTube - Pirates of the Flats Trailer

MP