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.
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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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