FLATS CONSERVATION

NEEDS – Although recreational angling for bonefish, tarpon, and permit on the flats constitutes an economically important sport fishery (over $1 billion annually in Florida alone), our lack of information regarding many important biological characteristics is severely compromising our ability to manage these species effectively. For example, the lack of answers to such basic questions as when and where do these fish spawn, where do juveniles rear, what are the various sources of mortality, how do populations of these species differ from one another genetically, what controls individual size, etc. prevents us from assessing how human activities such as development and fishing impact the long-term health of our flats fish populations.

In addition, because populations of these species only exist in a few states within the US, financial support for research and management has been low compared to that dedicated to other species. Scientists and anglers alike now recognize that serious efforts need to be made toward filling many key information gaps, and that scientific information needs to be injected into important management and policy decisions.

STRATEGY – In an effort to identify what important information is still needed to conserve bonefish, tarpon, and permit resources, we brought the top scientists in the world that work on these important species and put them together with BTU and FCF leaders, concerned anglers, guides, and industry representatives in an interactive workshop. Prior to the workshop, participants were asked to provide a list of research questions organized by the specific topics listed below:

• Fish Ecology & Population Dynamics
• Fisheries Biology
• Environmental Impacts

In an effort to identify key opportunities to increase awareness and inform people about issues concerning the sustainability of flats fishing, participants of the workshop were also asked to provide a list of education/outreach opportunities organized by the specific target audiences listed below under four general headings:

• Target: Anglers, Guides, etc.
• Target: General Public
• Target: Governmental Agencies
• Target: Legislators
• Target: Kids

Teams of scientists and anglers then developed a series of research and education/outreach proposals that were peer-reviewed, ranked, and the best accepted for implementation. Fundraising for those projects is now underway.

HISTORY OF THE FLATS FISHING ALLIANCE

FORMATION – Anglers have recognized the need for information and its dissemination for a long time, and in 1998, Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited was formed to organize their efforts to do what was needed to help conserve the flats ecosystems. Likewise, fisheries scientists have also been concerned for some time now that the scientific information generated from research studies was not finding its way into the decision-making process guiding future aquatic resource conservation. In 2003, scientists within the American Fisheries Society joined together with concerned anglers to form the Fisheries Conservation Foundation.

On August 9-10, 2005, members of BTU and members of FCF met with several fisheries scientists at the Cape Eleuthera Institute to explore the value of forming a partnership to address the impending issues. At this meeting, there was universal agreement that the best structure to enhance success of our future joint efforts was to form an Alliance between FCF and BTU that sustained the integrity/identity of the two organizations. Within this organizational structure, BTU would organize and oversee research activities, whereas FCF would organize and oversee education and outreach efforts. Such an Alliance would be in a better position to promote and support both research projects and education/outreach initiatives.

WHAT IS BTU?

BONEFISH & TARPON UNLIMITED (BTU) – established in 1998, is a recreational-angler based organization committed to preserving and enhancing the bonefish and tarpon fisheries globally through research, education, and prudent management to build sustainable fisheries. We realize that our bonefish and tarpon fishery resources are experiencing a new array of fishing and environmental stresses that are decimating other popular sport and food fisheries. With today’s explosion of sophisticated angling technologies and escalating fishing pressures, BTU has made the important commitment to do what it takes to ensure the sustainable future of these precious resources.

With a catch-and-release ethic having become commonplace among anglers, overharvest as a result of sport fishing is unlikely. The greatest challenges to a sustainable future for these important flats fishes come from the direct and indirect effects of global expansion and the dominance of the human race, including loss of habitat through coastal development, degradation of water quality through pollution and increased boat traffic, and the impacts of commercial fishing for other species. BTU is taking a stand to confront those challenges.

THE OBJECTIVES OF BONEFISH & TARPON UNLIMITED ARE TO:

• support research to fill critical information gaps needed for management
• promote information exchange among scientists and anglers
• incorporate research results into resource conservation decisions
• educate the public as to the value of the flats fisheries and the ecosystem
• focus efforts to conserve the flats fisheries and their component species

For more information on BTU and its objectives, partnerships, and projects, contact Tom Davidson, Russ Fisher or Aaron Adams or visit the BTU website at www.tarbone.org.

WHAT IS FCF?

THE FISHERIES CONSERVATION FOUNDATION (FCF) – established in 2003, is a science-based conservation organization that brings together fisheries scientists, resource conservationists, and anglers who care about the future of fisheries resources worldwide. The FCF strives to provide objective, peer-reviewed scientific information to policy-makers and the public to ensure that the management of our freshwater and marine ecosystems is based upon the principles of sustainability.

The Fisheries Conservation Foundation serves as the outreach component of the American Fisheries Society, the largest professional scientific organization of fisheries biologists in the world. As such, the FCF seeks to address the increasing threats to our global fisheries resources by combining the professional and scientific assets of the American Fisheries Society with the financial and political assets of the business world, the media, conservation organizations, and other potential partners.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FISHERIES CONSERVATION FOUNDATION ARE TO:

• provide information about important global fisheries conservation issues
• inject peer-reviewed research findings into resource conservation decisions
• promote fisheries science education
• give direction and focus to worldwide fisheries conservation efforts
• support informed and principled actions to conserve our fisheries resources

For more information on FCF and its objectives, partnerships, and projects, contact David P. Philipp, Dale Burkett or visit the FCF website at www.fisheriesconservationfoundation.org or the AFS website at www.fisheries.org.