Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited. Our name pretty much underscores the goals we’re aiming to accomplish – ensuring healthy populations of bonefish and tarpon for the future. After eight years of existence, BTU is a leader in sponsoring and funding the research needed to accomplish our goals. Most of BTU’s work is done by volunteer efforts, with only a very small portion of funds used to fund administrative functions. The vast majority of our budget goes directly to supporting research and education.

BTU is a 501.C.3, not-for-profit organization based in South Florida, but with a worldwide presence. We are supporting or collaborating on research projects throughout the Caribbean and Pacific. Our goal is to protect and enhance both species by gaining a better understanding of their biology and ecology. With this understanding will come better management and conservation. But acquiring this information requires costly research. It is BTU’s belief that by bringing together recreational anglers, guides, lodges, the marine industry, and other business interests, we can raise the funds and other support needed to conduct this essential research.

To underscore the importance of BTU’s mission, you need only to read the list of Founding members, all respected members of the worlds of fishing and international business: Lefty Kreh, Stu Apte, Billy Pate, Chico Fernandez, Mark Sosin, Larry Dahlberg, Curt Gowdy, Doug Hannon, Tom Davidson, Paul Tudor Jones, Johnny Morris, Norman Schwarzkopf, Mina Hemingway, Joan Wulff, Christie Whitman (EPA Administrator), and so many more.

BTU’s ability to bring together fishing experts, media personalities, business leaders, and marine scientists gives us the respect that is needed to lead the international effort toward research, conservation, and enhancement of bonefish and tarpon.