Bill to make tarpon gamefish moves to Senate

We've talked much about legislative bills to limit commercial menhaden harvest in state waters. But another bill, which is getting much less attention, is House Bill 688 by Representative Joseph Orgeron. It would designate the Atlantic Tarpon as a gamefish.

Why is this important? Currently, tarpon in Louisiana are no different than pinfish or hardhead catfish as far as regulatory status goes. And yet, the state’s offshore waters represent not only one of the major migratory grounds, but also a key spawning area.

As a gamefish, tarpon would come under the regulatory management of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, which could then set harvest limits and/or tag requirements.

Every other state has very strict regulations on the harvest of tarpon. Some states, like Florida, permit catch and release only, with exemption of a $50 annual tag for 1 fish only for record purposes. Most states allow 1 per person per year, again with a minimum size limit, and strictly for the pursuit of personal or state record.

So far, there has been little opposition to the bill, which is supported by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Fly Fishers International, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and other conservation groups. The real fight will probably be over the regulation once gamefish status is established. Some fishing rodeo organizers want rodeo exemptions, some conservationists want strictly catch-and-release all the time.