BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST'S TARPON ACOUSTIC TAGGING PROJECT
The Virginia Sportsman|Winter 2019
Multi-Year Study Aims to Better Understand Tarpon Movement and Habitat Use
Joe Shields
BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST'S TARPON ACOUSTIC TAGGING PROJECT

I listened, double-hauled and let the purple streamer— fly. For once, I didn’t unnecessarily false-cast, hook the guide or fumble line. My fly landed gently over a bed of seagrass. I stripped slowly, and a juvenile tarpon that was resting there followed.

The guide and my friend Charles Lunsford hollered with excitement. They fell silent when the young tarpon spooked and darted across the flat to the dark reaches of more grass.

A Virginian, Lunsford spends time in Boca Grande, Florida, which is known as the “Tarpon Capital of the World.” He is on the water as much as possible with renowned tarpon guide and teacher Tommy Locke; Lunsford says Locke has forgotten more about tarpon than most of the best tarpon fisherman will ever learn. Lunsford is also passionate about the fishery, and his obsession for chasing tarpon (“poon”) there has rubbed off on me. So has his regard for the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT).

BTT’s mission is to conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education and advocacy. The non-profit takes a science-based approach to protect and enhance healthy, functioning flats fisheries and habitats in the Western Hemisphere, and restore those in decline. This work is being done in collaboration with institutions and governments.

One of BTT’s newer research initiatives monitors the movements of different age and size classes of tarpon using sophisticated technology. A few years ago, Lunsford sponsored one of BTT’s tarpon-tracking tags, and Locke helps BTT tag fish with the devices. Each tag is surgically implanted in the tarpon’s abdomen, and then movements are tracked following safe release.

Denne historien er fra Winter 2019-utgaven av The Virginia Sportsman.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Winter 2019-utgaven av The Virginia Sportsman.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE VIRGINIA SPORTSMANSe alt
The James River Makes A Comeback
The Virginia Sportsman

The James River Makes A Comeback

“America’s Founding River ” wins an international award for river-basin management and restoration.

time-read
5 mins  |
Winter 2019
GREENLAND'S ICEBERGS
The Virginia Sportsman

GREENLAND'S ICEBERGS

THROUGH THE EYES OF LENSMAN AND ALPINIST JIMMY CHIN

time-read
7 mins  |
Winter 2019
Creating Habitat to Save the Bobwhite Quail
The Virginia Sportsman

Creating Habitat to Save the Bobwhite Quail

PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LANDS CAN DO MORE FOR QUAIL—AND OTHER WILDLIFE

time-read
5 mins  |
Winter 2019
VIRGINIA'S COMEBACK KID
The Virginia Sportsman

VIRGINIA'S COMEBACK KID

It was the last Friday in March. With winter behind us, spring had finally made an appearance. The air was crisp and fresh. The valley was expansive and lined with gold.

time-read
4 mins  |
Winter 2019
CAST AGAIN
The Virginia Sportsman

CAST AGAIN

A Tribute to Orri Vigfússon, The Greatest Friend Wild Atlantic Salmon Could Ever Have

time-read
6 mins  |
Winter 2019
“SOME STORIES: LESSONS FROM THE EDGE OF BUSINESS AND SPORT”
The Virginia Sportsman

“SOME STORIES: LESSONS FROM THE EDGE OF BUSINESS AND SPORT”

Patagonia Releases New Book Featuring Yvon Chouinard ’s Iconic Storytelling, Favorite Writings and Life Lessons

time-read
3 mins  |
Winter 2019
BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST'S TARPON ACOUSTIC TAGGING PROJECT
The Virginia Sportsman

BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST'S TARPON ACOUSTIC TAGGING PROJECT

Multi-Year Study Aims to Better Understand Tarpon Movement and Habitat Use

time-read
5 mins  |
Winter 2019
A Pristine And Abundant Environment
The Virginia Sportsman

A Pristine And Abundant Environment

Fishing options cover the waterfront at The Ford Plantation in coastal Georgia

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2019
Speed And Innovation In The America's Cup
The Virginia Sportsman

Speed And Innovation In The America's Cup

Visitors are looking up to the Mariners’ Museum and Park’s New exhibition

time-read
5 mins  |
Fall 2019
Tyler Childers Stays True To His Roots
The Virginia Sportsman

Tyler Childers Stays True To His Roots

Tyler Childers stays true to his roots

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2019