FWC determines tarpon a likely ‘sportfish’ candidate; PTTS declares new catch-and-release policy

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commissioners have announced they intend to pursue a new “sportfish” designation that would include tarpon as a catch-and-release only species.

The determination was made at their Thursday, Sept. 6 meeting held in Tampa.

Currently, tarpon may only be possessed by a guide or angler who has purchased a $50 tarpon tag.

Possession ranges from harvesting a tarpon for International Game Fishing Association World Record submission, to towing a tarpon to weigh stations during a tournament.

Recently the PTTS announced they would no longer be weighing in fish during their May and June tarpon tournaments in Boca Grande Pass.

PTTS organizers said instead of weighing the fish, measurements of will be taken and calculated with a formula to determine the tarpon’s weight.

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