To conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education and advocacy.
Through science-based approaches, BTT is working 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 other institutions and governments.
In the Florida Keys and South Florida, BTT is working to determine and address the causes of declining fish populations. BTT has defined a series of research steps that will lead to actionable knowledge to improve the Keys flats fishery. We will advocate for those actions that will protect and restore the fishery and habitats.
BTT is working to improve regulations as necessary to ensure a healthy tarpon fishery throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Southeast United States and Caribbean.
BTT is working to protect and restore habitats throughout the range of bonefish, tarpon and permit to ensure healthy populations of these and associated species.
BTT is executing its mission by partnering with universities and institutions having the expertise to conduct research projects designed by BTT scientists.
BTT's Justin Lewis shows you how to take a fin clip sample from a bonefish for Bonefish and Tarpon Trust's Bonefish Genetics Program
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Measuring a bonefish while taking a fin clip.
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Searching for baby bonefish habitat yielded these two specimens.
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A bonefish spawning aggregation in the Bahamas. BTT is actively working to find and identify these locations in Florida so they can receive the same protections that we have been able to offer in other countries.
Programs
Bonefish Genetics Program
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In collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Massachusetts, Cape Eleuthera Institute, and Fisheries Conservation Foundation, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is launching a three-year Bonefish Genetics Program. The goal of this program is to analyze the genetic population structure of bonefish throughout the Caribbean and Western Atlantic to determine the extent that bonefish populations in different locations are related. This will help us to decide how much we have to focus on a regional vs local conservation strategy.
Tarpon Acoustic Tagging
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BTT's tarpon acoustic tagging project, generously sponsored by Maverick Boat Group, launched in March 2016. The purpose of this study is to obtain scientific data necessary for tarpon conservation that will be used exclusively to protect tarpon and enhance their habitat through improvements in fishery management. BTT will not distribute specific data to the public and will only describe tarpon movements and habitats in a general way in order to build public support for greater protections.
BOARD
Harold Brewer
Chairman
Bill Horn
Vice Chair
Tom Davidson
Chairman Emeritus
STAFF
Jim McDuffie
President & CEO
Dr. Aaron Adams
Director of Science and Conservation
Mark Rehbein
Director of Developement
Nick Roberts
Director of Communications and Marketing
Financials
This organization's financial statements were independently submitted and have not been verified by The Miami Foundation.