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Episode 1004: Fishing the Flats for Science

The flats are shallow, clear waters made up of sand and seagrass that provide habitat for bonefish, tarpon and permit – three species that are popular with recreational anglers in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. But until relatively recently, little was known about these fishes. 

In 1997, after a decline in the Florida Keys bonefishery, anglers and guides came together to form the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, a science-based conservation organization. Now the group’s scientists, together with their academic partners, conduct a number of research projects to better understand the movements, habitats, and spawning behaviors of bonefish, tarpon, and permit. 

The ultimate goal: to conserve and restore these economically valuable catch and release fisheries and the habitats they depend on for survival.


Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.


Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

Alex Lovett-Woodsum

Andy Danylchuck, Ph.D. 

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust 

Cameron Luck 

International Game Fish Association

RM Media, Inc. 

Filming inside the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge conducted with special use permit issued by USFWS.

Special Thanks:


Adrian Gray

Daniel Clark

Ingrid Gamero

Isabella Simon

Johannes Quiles

Nehl Horton

Nick Roberts

Richard Berea

Robert E. Lee, Jr.


Funding for this episode of Changing Seas was provided by:

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