Bonefish and tarpon harvest reopens April 1
News Release
Monday, March 29, 2010
Media contact: Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554
A temporary closure to the recreational harvest of
bonefish and tarpon from Florida waters ends on April 1. The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an
executive order on Jan. 16, which established statewide closed
seasons for bonefish and tarpon as a precautionary measure due to
the prolonged cold weather in Florida this past winter. This
order expires April 1.
The minimum size limit for bonefish is 18 inches
total length, and anglers may take one bonefish daily. Anglers may
use hook-and-line gear only to harvest bonefish and may not harvest
bonefish commercially.
Anglers who possess and attach a $50 tag to the
fish may harvest up to two tarpon from state waters daily. Anglers
cannot legally harvest tarpon from state waters by spearing,
snagging or snatch hooking, and they may not sell tarpon.
Even though the FWC is again allowing the harvest
of bonefish and tarpon, the agency encourages anglers to enjoy
catching and releasing these important Florida game fish species
and to handle and release these fish carefully to help ensure their
survival. Information regarding proper handling and release
of fish is available online at http://catchandrelease.org/Catch_and_Release_web.pdf.
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